Page:The history of the Bengali language (1920).pdf/97



An analysis of the character of our vocalic and consonantal sounds can only lead us to form a definite idea regarding our provincial accent system. As such, a comparative study of Bengali phonology should be carefully pursued, though this sort of study involves a detailed consideration of the phonology of not only the ancient Vedic and the post-Vedic languages, but also of the Dravidian accent system. It is a hard work to do; but I must make an attempt in this direction, in the hope that my failure may lead to success, by attracting the attention and calling forth the energies of worthier scholars.

The letters of the ancient alphabet, which are not articulated in our pure Bengali speech, and which we keep in stock for the only purpose of representing the words of the ancient languages of India, will be dealt with only briefly.

অ.—(i) The usual sound of this vowel may be represented by 'o' as it is pronounced in pot, not, hot, etc. The sound of it in ancient times, may be presumed to have been like 'u' in but, cut, hut, etc., and so the long sound of this short অ may easily be made into আ (as 'a' in part, calm, large, etc.). This may explain why আ is the long form of অ, as ঈ and ঊ are the long forms of ই and উ. In Marathi, Canarese, Tamil and Telegu, অ is pronounced as short আ; this sound is exactly similar to our short unaccented আ sound as in আমার, আন্দাজ, আচার, etc. The Mundās and the Orāons of Bengal frontier do also