The History of Indian Literature c3: Translators' Note
The History of Indian Literature c3
- Language
- English
Translators' Note
c3.1
According to the original intention, the English translation of this work was to have appeared shortly after the second German edition, which came out in the end of 1875, and which, as mentioned by the author in his preface, was in part prepared with a view to this translation. In consequence, however, of the death of Professor Childers, under whose direction it was in the first instance begun, and of whose aid and supervision it would, had he lived, have had the benefit, the work came to a stand-still, and some time elapsed before the task of continuing and completing it was entrusted to those whose names appear on the title-page. The manuscript of the translation thus interrupted embraced a considerable part of the text of the first division of the work (Vedic Literature). It had not undergone any revision by Professor Childers, and was found to be in a somewhat imperfect state, and to require very material modification. Upon Mr. Zachariae devolved the labour of correcting it, of completing it as far as the close of the Vedic Period, and of adding the notes to this First Part, none of which had been translated. From the number of changes introduced in the course of revision, the portion of the work comprised in the manuscript in question has virtually been re-translated. The rendering of the second division of the volume (Sanskṛit Literature) is entirely and exclusively the work of Mr. Mann.
c3.2
The circumstances under which the translation has been produced have greatly delayed its appearance. But for this delay some compensation is afforded by the Supplementary Notes which Professor Weber has written for incorporation in the volume (p. 311 ff.), and which supply information regarding the latest researches and the newest publications bearing upon the subjects discussed in the work. Professor Weber has also been good enough to read the sheets as they came from the press, and the translators are indebted to him for a number of suggestions.
c3.3
A few of the abbreviations made use of in the titles of works which are frequently quoted perhaps require explanation: *e.g., I. St.* for Weber’s *Indische Studien*; *I. Str.* for his *Indische Streifen*; *I. AK.* for Lassen’s *Indische Alterthumskunde*; *Z. D. M. G.* for *Zeitschrift der deutschen morgenländischen Gesellschaft, &c.*
c3.4
The system of transliteration is in the main identical with that followed in the German original; as, however, it varies in a few particulars, it is given here instead of in the Author’s Preface. It is as follows:—
c3.5
a á i í u ú ṛi ṛí
ḷi ḷí e ai o au;
k kh g gh ṅ;
ch chh j jh ñ;
ṭ ṭh ḍ ḍh ṇ;
t th d dh n;
p ph b bh m;
y r l v;
ś sh s h;
Anusvára ṃ, in the middle of a word before sibilants ṅ;
Visarga ḥ.
c3.6
*July*, 1878.