Sanskritisation (linguistics)

Sanskritisation (Hindi: संस्कृतीकरण) refers to the process of incorporating elements from Sanskrit, including its vocabulary and grammar, into other languages. The radical left-wing often refers to this phenomenon as the "Hinduisation" of a linguistic community, which can involve the adoption of cultural practices and religious beliefs associated with Hindu Dharma. Additionally, it is also used by linguists to coin definitive glossaries for Hindi and various other Indian languages.

Historically, many languages across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia have been significantly influenced by Sanskrit as well as its descendant languages, such as the Prakrits and modern-day Indo-Aryan languages. This influence is evident in various aspects of language, literature, and culture, reflecting the deep historical connections between these regions and the Sanskrit language.

Sanskritisation frequently contrasts with processes such as Persianisation and Englishisation within the Indian subcontinent. For instance, the evolution of the old Hindi language illustrates this dynamic: its Sanskritised form contributes to what is known as Hindi, while its heavily Persianised and Arabicised variant is recognised as Urdu. Similarly, the blend of English influences alongside Hindi and Urdu gives rise to Hinglish or Urdish.

Support for Sanskritisation tends to be strongest among groups and individuals who seek to reconnect with their cultural, religious, and civilisational roots. Advocates of this process often emphasise the importance of respecting traditional practices, values, and linguistic heritage that are integral to their identity. This movement reflects broader socio-political trends in the region, where language serves as a crucial marker of cultural identity and heritage.

History

Ancient era

For nearly 2,000 years, Sanskrit served as the foundational language of a cultural order that wielded influence across Ancient India, Inner Asia, Southeast Asia, and, to some extent, East Asia. A notable form of post-Vedic Sanskrit is evident in the Sanskrit used in Indian epic poetry, particularly in the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Deviations from the grammatical norms established by Pāṇini in these epics are typically attributed to influences from Prakrit languages or innovative developments rather than being considered pre-Paninian.

Traditional Sanskrit scholars refer to these deviations as ārṣa (Sanskrit: आर्ष), which translates to of the ṛṣis—a term denoting the ancient sages who are credited with composing these texts. In certain contexts, one can observe a greater presence of "prakritisms", or borrowings from colloquial speech, compared to Classical Sanskrit. Additionally, Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit represents a literary language that has been significantly shaped by Middle Indo-Aryan languages. This language emerged from early Buddhist Prakrit texts and gradually assimilated into the Classical Sanskrit standard to varying extents, reflecting the dynamic interplay between different linguistic traditions within the region.

Modern era

During the medieval era, Indian languages absorbed significant Perso-Arabic influences due to Muslim invasions, particularly in the northwestern region of India. This linguistic evolution was further shaped by colonial-era education policies, religious nationalism, and the increasing separation of Hindus and Muslims in terms of their linguistic preferences. Hindus tended to adopt more Sanskrit words and utilised the Devanagari script for writing Hindi, while Muslims gravitated towards Urdu, which incorporated more Persian and Arabic elements.

Following the 1947 Partition of India, the Indian government contemplated establishing Sanskrit as the national language but ultimately opted to promote the Sanskritisation of Hindi instead. This decision was based on that a more Sanskritised Hindi would be easier for Indians to learn. While Urdu retains official status in several Indian states, such as Uttar Pradesh, efforts to Sanskritise Hindi have led to the creation of new words that describe modern concepts and technologies, often through calques based on English terms.

Moreover, Sanskrit words that have been integrated into other languages across the Indian subcontinent frequently intermingle with vocabulary from different language families, including the Dravidian languages, resulting in the formation of new terms.

Cultural debates have emerged regarding the extent of Sanskrit's presence in Hindi and the acceptability of Persian and English influences. Proponents of a more Sanskritised Hindi argue for its ease of learning, while right-wing Muslim groups oppose this trend, perceiving it as a language associated with Hindu identity. This ongoing discourse reflects broader societal tensions surrounding language, identity, and cultural heritage in contemporary India.

De-Sanskritisation

The de-Sanskritisation of Tamil began in the 1950s as part of a broader movement to reduce the influence of Sanskrit on the language. Advocates of this initiative sought to modify Tamil by eliminating many Sanskrit borrowings, aiming to reinforce its indigenous character and promote a linguistic identity that was distinct from the Sanskritized forms prevalent in certain contexts.

Similarly, the Hela Havula movement emerged in Sri Lanka, advocating for the de-Sanskritisation of the Sinhala language. This movement aimed to diminish the impact of Sanskrit on Sinhala, emphasising the importance of cultivating a more native linguistic identity. Both movements reflect a desire to reclaim and preserve the unique cultural and linguistic heritage of their respective languages in the face of historical influences.

Read also

• Sanskrit revival