Page:The history of the Bengali language (1920).pdf/319

Rh note that to signify affection, we use the suffix উ where euphonic combination becomes possible; কানু, হরু, খুকু, etc., are examples. It is supposed that the উ suffix mentioned above is virtually the contracted form of উ আ which is a variant of ই আ or rather the euphonic mutation of আ. For examples of আ as signifying diminutive, and as not connected with or derived from the final ক which is diminutive-indicating in Sanskrit, I may just mention two words namely বাসা (temporary lodging or nest) from বাস, and ঘরা (a little hole, say, a button-hole) from ঘর. That পুতা for পুত্তা (e.g., মায়ে বলেন পড় পুতা) from পুত্রক is entirely different from either ঘরা or বাসা, is clear and so we may hold that there is a pure and independent আ which signifies diminutive.

The adjective-forming কা is generally considered to be a combination of ক and আ; this appears doubtful to me, on reference to the signification of the following forms, viz., (1) পল্‌কা = liable to break easily (from পড় to fall + কা), (2) হাল্‌কা = light (লঘু = লহু = হলু + কা), (3) খট্‌কা, that which causes a খট্ or doubt in the mind (here old agency-signifying ক in the form of কা may be the suffix) (4) বলকা as in বলকা দুধ (which is slightly বর্ত্তিত or rather আবর্ত্তিত or boiled).

As to the adjective-forming আ, derived from past-participle-forming ক্ত = ত = অ, remarks have already been made in a previous lecture.

The adjective-forming ইয়া as in বর্দ্ধমানিয়া or বর্দ্ধমেনে has no connection with general আ suffix; it is Sanskrit ই (as in মদীয়) which is our adjective-forming ইয়া; this ইয়, we clearly see, indicates relation.

I have omitted to take notice of the Sanskrit suffixes and forms in use in Bengali, as no special remarks re­garding them may be considered needed in these lectures, though it is interesting to know when and under