DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20131#0087
TRANSCRIPTION.
67
we thought it important to adopt a system as little complicated as possible, and at
the same time to preserve an alphabet, not differing too widely from the letters
generally used in typography. For writing the names on maps also, it is very
convenient not to have too many distinctive signs added to the letters; for they are
easily overlooked, when they happen to coincide with the lines of shading on the map.
Besides, a simple method makes it so much easier for the general reader in following
our researches and in remembering the names connected with them1.
A. VOWELS.
As will be seen from our Alphabet, we generally write the vowels on the
German or Italian system of pronunciation, a system already introduced by Sir
William Jones, and, with some slight modifications, now almost universally adopted.
Amongst many others who write in accordance with similar principles, we need
only mention: Wilson, Hooker, Thomson, Miiller, and Eastwick2, in England; Bopp,
Lepsius3, Lassen, and Weber, in Germany. In the Presidency of Madras, it has also
been officially introduced of late4.
B. DIPHTHONGS.
This class requires particular notice here. In modern European languages there
are instances in which the spelling of diphthongs is phonetically incorrect, as will be
seen when we dissolve the diphthongs into their two component vowels, by pronouncing
the latter very slowly, as in singing, an experiment which we found exceedingly valuable
in many doubtful cases. By doing so, it is easy to perceive that, if we wish to write
phonetically, the German words uheute (to-day)", "JEigenschaft (quality)", sound like,
"haute", "Aigenschaft"; the diphthongs in the English words, "loudly", "silently", sound
like, "laudli", "sdilentli".5
These examples, at the same time, serve to show that, if the accentuated syllable
1 A simple mode of writing also much facilitates the printing of translations, and of abstracts in scientific
periodicals.
2 Eastwick. Handbooks for India. 2 vols., Murray, London, 1859. We take this opportunity of acknowledging
the valuable information contained in these volumes, which have proved of essential service to us, especially in
what relates to Southern India.
3 In the details of transcription, his well known researches in connection with a general alphabet (Standard Alpha-
bet, London, 1855) have been very important to us.
4 Allen's Indian Mail, November 28th, 1859.
5 We add, not to be misunderstood, that we are far from alluding to alterations, as little desirable in English
as in the German, in cases where orthography is based on history and firmly established by universal usage.
9 *
67
we thought it important to adopt a system as little complicated as possible, and at
the same time to preserve an alphabet, not differing too widely from the letters
generally used in typography. For writing the names on maps also, it is very
convenient not to have too many distinctive signs added to the letters; for they are
easily overlooked, when they happen to coincide with the lines of shading on the map.
Besides, a simple method makes it so much easier for the general reader in following
our researches and in remembering the names connected with them1.
A. VOWELS.
As will be seen from our Alphabet, we generally write the vowels on the
German or Italian system of pronunciation, a system already introduced by Sir
William Jones, and, with some slight modifications, now almost universally adopted.
Amongst many others who write in accordance with similar principles, we need
only mention: Wilson, Hooker, Thomson, Miiller, and Eastwick2, in England; Bopp,
Lepsius3, Lassen, and Weber, in Germany. In the Presidency of Madras, it has also
been officially introduced of late4.
B. DIPHTHONGS.
This class requires particular notice here. In modern European languages there
are instances in which the spelling of diphthongs is phonetically incorrect, as will be
seen when we dissolve the diphthongs into their two component vowels, by pronouncing
the latter very slowly, as in singing, an experiment which we found exceedingly valuable
in many doubtful cases. By doing so, it is easy to perceive that, if we wish to write
phonetically, the German words uheute (to-day)", "JEigenschaft (quality)", sound like,
"haute", "Aigenschaft"; the diphthongs in the English words, "loudly", "silently", sound
like, "laudli", "sdilentli".5
These examples, at the same time, serve to show that, if the accentuated syllable
1 A simple mode of writing also much facilitates the printing of translations, and of abstracts in scientific
periodicals.
2 Eastwick. Handbooks for India. 2 vols., Murray, London, 1859. We take this opportunity of acknowledging
the valuable information contained in these volumes, which have proved of essential service to us, especially in
what relates to Southern India.
3 In the details of transcription, his well known researches in connection with a general alphabet (Standard Alpha-
bet, London, 1855) have been very important to us.
4 Allen's Indian Mail, November 28th, 1859.
5 We add, not to be misunderstood, that we are far from alluding to alterations, as little desirable in English
as in the German, in cases where orthography is based on history and firmly established by universal usage.
9 *