Page:The history of the Bengali language (1920).pdf/129

Rh the living character of the speech, may be studied in the excellent analysis and discussion of the matter, in Prof. Macdonnel's Vedic Grammar. It may no doubt be said of the Vedic verses, that the general rythm of versification is not affected by accents; but that because of musical stress and accents, the verses are not lifeless quantitative ones (as in Sanskrit), should be duly appreciated. Since it is a fact, that natural gestures and modulations of voice, which contribute to the growth of the human speech, do survive as living factors in some proportion in each and every developed speech,—since it is undeniable, that every real and living speech must have an accent system of its own, a few examples of the Vedic accent should be adduced here, to form some notions regarding the Vedic, as well as the post-Vedic classical languages. Before citing the examples, I should note that উদাত্ত (as the meaning of it indicates) is the high accent in the Sāma Veda, while as a later innovation, স্বরিৎ of the next grade, is the high accent in the Ṛg veda; it will therefore be convenient to name the grades of accent by high, middle and low pitch or accent.

The first example I cite, is to show how by change of accent, a Vedic word changes its meaning. If the high accent be put upon রা of রাজপুত্র, the word will mean (being constructed as বহুব্রীহি) 'a person who is the father of sons who are or became kings'; but if the last letter ত্র is accented, the meaning will be, in the তৎপুরুষ compound, 'the son of a king.' For a similar change of meaning in Bengali, let me cite a few examples: if the Bengali word কলম is accented on the first syllable ক, the meaning will be 'a graft,' but with accent on the last syllable লম্, it will mean 'a pen.' How because of change in pronunciation, occasioned by difference in stress, a word varies in meaning, should be studied to realize the importance