The Resilience of a Mediaeval Bridge-language: A Look at the Modern Usages of Maṇipravāḷam
摘要
Maṇipravāļam, a distinctive language that bridges Tamil and Sanskrit, continues to not just to exist, but also evolve in the 20th century. This article examines its ongoing use and evolution of Maṇipravāḷam in 20th-century texts by Śrīvaiṣṇavas, followers of Rāmānuja’s school of Vaiṣṇavism. Through a nuanced analysis of four sample texts, representing different genres, authors, and schools of thought (Teṉkalai and Vaṭakalai), this study reveals the adaptability and variation of Maṇipravāḷam. By exploring the language’s use in commentary, polemic, article, and oral discourse, this research demonstrates how Maṇipravāḷam continues to thrive in both written and spoken contexts, meeting the needs of changing times, authors, and audiences. This research challenges the notion that Manipravāļam is a dormant, static or monolithic language, revealing instead its adaptability and demonstrating its capacity to respond to changing social and cultural contexts. Ultimately, this article argues that Maṇipravāḷam remains a vibrant and relevant language, deserving of continued scholarly attention and appreciation.