A Comparative Grammar of the Modern Aryan Languages of India v2.c12.35

v2.c12.35

§ 2. Derivation is effected by the addition to the *dhātu*, or root, of certain syllables called *pratyaya*, or suffix. These suffixes in many cases not merely add a vowel or syllable to the root, but also effect some change in the root itself, either by lengthening the vowel, eliding a final consonant, or in some other way. In order to indicate the effect the suffix has on the root, the Indian grammarians have prefixed or added to each suffix certain letters, which serve as a sort of *memoria technica*. Thus पाक “cooking,” would be described as पच् + घञ्, that is, derived from the root पच् “to cook” by the suffix घञ्; the effect of this suffix is principally to add a final अ to the root, but it also lengthens the root-vowel, and this effect is indicated by the letter ञ; it moreover changes a final palatal into a guttural, and this is denoted by the घ. The number of *pratyayas* is very great, the grammarians having multiplied them without stint, in order to give expression to the large mass of minute distinctions with which they have encumbered their writings. As, however, we are not discussing Sanskrit grammar, but only the simpler grammar of its modern descendants, it will not be necessary to consider all these suffixes in detail. They may be conveniently thrown into groups according to the vowel or syllables which they actually add to the root, the technical letters being referred to only when the distinction which they mark is of importance in its bearing on the forms of the spoken languages. Among the *kṛidantas* or primary stems the Indian grammarians include participles and verbal forms of all kinds, as well as abstract nouns. It will, however, be more in accordance with the principles of linguistic science to reserve the consideration of participles and all verbal formations till the chapters on the Verb are reached, and to discuss in this place merely those suffixes which form substantives and adjectives.