Page:A Grammar of the Telugu language.djvu/23

Rh thus పూర్వం pūrvam(m) formerly, may be written పూ‍వర్‍ంrm. Either way the pronunciation is the same. This mark is called గిలక​ gilaca (literally a rattle, from a fancied resemblance in shape) or more usually వలసలిగిలక​ or వలపలగెలక which means, the gilaca on the right hand.

The letters of the alphabet appear very numerous, but the reason is that a separate character is used for each letter instead of using the same letter with two or three different sounds.

The consonants also are multiplied and have such a variety of forms, because they use a separate shape for each variety of sound. T has one form, and Th another (as in Greek) so K has one form and kh another. And this likewise happens in the Greek alphabet.

The spelling is easy as the letters when correctly pronounced never deviate from the sound given in the alphabet.

When a letter is written under the line it is larger than if written on the line.

When written, like English, with a pen, the Telugu letters have (what writing masters call) body strokes and hair strokes. But in writing with an iron pen on a palm leaf (the case with most Telugu manuscripts) there is no such distinction. This certainly tries the eye-sight; but the first type founders have imitated this old mode and accordingly all the printed letters are formed of hair strokes. This certainly ought to be remedied, and then Telugu type will no more strain the eyes than English printing does.

It is not the custom to separate the words. Thus a paragraph