Kannada grammar

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The Kannada grammar (Kannada: ಕನ್ನಡ ವ್ಯಾಕರಣ) is primarily based on Keshiraja's Shabdamanidarpana (c. 1260 AD) which provides the fullest systematic exposition of Kannada language.^[1][2] The earlier grammatical works include portions of Kavirajamarga (a treatise on alańkāra) of 9th century, Kavyavalokana and Karnatakabhashabhushana both authored by Nagavarma II in first half of the 12th century.^[2]

Various grammatical aspects of Kannada include, tatsama–tadbhava, vibhakti pratyaya, kāla (tense-forms), linga (gender-forms), sandhi, samāsa, chandassu, alańkāra; and different poetrical metres such as vritta, tripadi, kanda (also called, choupadi or chaturpadi), shatpadi, sāngatya and others.

Contents 1 Terminologies 2 Compound bases 3 Genders 4 Notes 5 References

[edit] Terminologies

• Word - pada or shabda
• Letter - akshara
• Vowel - swara
• Consonant - vyanjana
• Noun - nāmapada
• Verb - kriyāpada
• Pronoun - sarvanāma
• Adjective - guṇavāchaka
• Sentence - saalu / vaakya
• Case termination - vibhakti
• Verbal theme - dhātu
• Gender - linga
• Numeral - anki/"sankhye"

[edit] Compound bases

Compound bases, called as samāsa in Kannada, are a set of two or more words compounded together.^[3] There are several types of compound bases, based on the rules followed for compounding. Eg: tangaaLi (ತಂಗಾಳಿ), hemmara (ಹೆಮ್ಮರ), immadi (ಇಮ್ಮಡಿ)

[edit] Genders

According to Kesiraja's Shabdamanidarpana, there are 9 gender forms in Kannada. However, in modern Kannada literature, only three gender forms are in practice; Masculine, Feminine and Neuter.^[4]

Masculine

Words that denote males, are considered as masculine gender.

• Eg: Shiva (ಶಿವ) , Bhima (ಭೀಮ), Rama (ರಾಮ), King - arasa (ಅರಸ)

Feminine

Words that denote females, are considered as feminine gender.

• Eg: Parvati (ಪಾರ್ವತಿ), Lakshmi (ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ), Saraswati (ಸರಸ್ವತಿ), Amma (ಅಮ್ಮ)

Neuter

All the words that do not belong to either of the above two genders, are considered as neuter gender.

• Eg: Love (ಪ್ರೀತಿ), World (ಲೋಕ), Tree (ಮರ), Bear (ಕರಡಿ), River (ನದಿ)

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

Rice, E.P. (1982) [1921]. Kannada Literature. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. ISBN 8120600630.  Various (1988) [1988]. Encyclopaedia of Indian literature - vol 2. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 8126011947.  Sastri, Nilakanta K.A. (2002) [1955]. A history of South India from prehistoric times to the fall of Vijayanagar. New Delhi: Indian Branch, Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-560686-8.  Various (1996). Encyclopaedia of Indian literature vol. 5. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 8126012218.  Ferdinand Kittel (1903). A grammar of the Kannada language in English : comprising the three dialects of the language (ancient, mediæval and modern). Mangalore: Basel Mission Book and Tract Depository. ISBN 3764808985.