Devanagari Script - the scientific basis

[Anju]

Well, the post I wanted to write. I wasn't exactly wanting to start a lesson on Hindi, as we don't have any learners here. And when we do have, for quick fix- they will need pronunciation lessons first, alphabet later.
Unless someone is looking for learning it in the proper way.
What I wanted to write here was about the beautiful and meticulous phonetic arrangement of the Devanagari script - I don't think any other phonetic alphabet is as scientifically structured as this.
Although most of our friends will know these facts, but it has never ceased to amaze me since childhood, and I wanted to express it here.

The Consonants are arranged thus:
1st - you need to use only the throat to speak these:
ka kha ga gha nga-
In these too, you will note that the ka is followed by ka with aspiration = kha
the last nga is the nasal- using throat-- so these 5 consonants are called kaëkya (kanthastha)
The first consonant is the softest and get progressively harder.

2nd line: you use the soft palate at the back of your mouth (talavya)
cha chha ja jha iian :
again these are in pairs of pure and aspirated consonants

3rd line: using the hard palate: (murdhanya)
ta tha da dha na (hard)

4th line: using the teeth (dantya)
ta tha da dha na (soft)

5th line : using the lips: äñöya or the labials
pa pha ba bha ma

For a word having a nasal consonant, the proper usage is to use the nasal consonant of the same line:
So if we dont abbreviate using ang ki matra,
we actually use
bangal -- the ng of the kanthastha line ( ga wala line)
chanchal -- the iian of the ch line
Danda (punishment)-- the na of the da line (hard)
santoshi-- the na of the ta line (soft)
Rambha-- the ma of the bha line

Then the additional consonants, ya ra la wa are also arranged in a palatal to labial order.
In the additional consonants (sibilants), sha , sha and sa also, there is a difference in the pronunciation:
1st sha is talavya sha - using soft palate like the cha varga
2nd sha is murdhanya sha-- using hard palate-- like the ta (hard) varga
3rd sa is dantya sa -- like the ta (soft) varga

Even in the vowels, we see they are arranged in pairs, that have a certain order of length- first the short form of the vowel, then the longer one.

There are other intricacies of the alphabet, but I just want to say, it makes me feel very proud!

These are also elaborated in these links:
wiki
and
here

[shivans]

Dear Anju,
What a fantastic work !! Hats off to you ! I study French and English phonetics!! Hindi is my mother tongue but never could put it in the way you have done (phonetically)

[Rita]

Hello there,

Would anyone know of a good Hindi tutor in Paris? I already have a decent level of comprehension but I'm looking for someone who can help me improve my speaking, grammar, reading & writing, etc. I'm a very enthusiastic and motivated student but I need the help of a human being as books/independent study have not sufficed ... Pleae help! Hoping to find a talented tutor soon ;-)

Many thanks!

[Anju]

Thank you Shivans! In fact Panini was the first phonetician of the world!

Hello and welcome Rita! I am sorry I cannot help you with your query, but I am sure someone else will.

Best wishes,
Anju

[soitelle]

Hi Rita,

It's good to see more n more people wanting to learn Hindi.
Each one having his / her own reasons.

I live in Toulouse, but I have lived in Paris and I teach HINDI.
I often come to Paris... If you're interested in getting in touch wid me.. plz email me: swatee82@hotmail.com

Bonne chance !