1990 - Grammatical Analysis of the Early Missionary Malayalam Prose Texts - Part II - Scaria Zacharia
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1990 - Grammatical Analysis of the Early Missionary Malayalam Prose Texts - Part II - Scaria Zacharia
1990
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1990 - Grammatical Analysis of the Early Missionary Malayalam Prose Texts - Part Ii - Scaria Zacharia
October 11, 2024
This thesis was submitted to the University of Kerala in 1990 and it examines the language of the Early Missionary Malayalam Prose Texts (EMMPTS), and is focussed on analysing the grammar and structure of these texts. The thesis explores the influence of western languages and cultures on these texts, as well as the development of Malayalam language and writing during the early missionary period. At the same time, the thesis provides a detailed historical background of the missionary activities in Kerala, elaborating on how it impacted the socio-economic structure and cultural landscape of the region. It also explores the evolution of the Malayalam language, including the introduction of new words, orthography, and writing styles in consequence of the missionary encounter. The work also touches upon the social customs and practices of the St. Thomas Christians in Kerala during this period, by using the Canons of Diamper Synod and Diocesan Statutes of Bishop Roz as the primary sources of this research. The analytical techniques adopted in the thesis gives due consideration to both modern linguistic theories and traditional grammatical literature. The index of early missionary Malayalam prose texts provided in the second part of the thesis is a window to the complex historic, linguistic and grammatical universe of this corpus and can enable fresh and compelling cultural explorations.