LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 21:10 October 2021
ISSN 1930-2940

Editors:
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         T. Deivasigamani, Ph.D.
         Pammi Pavan Kumar, Ph.D.
         Soibam Rebika Devi, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Managing Editor & Publisher: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.

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Semantic Study of Select Synonyms in
the Great Andamanese Language

Selvaganapathy, M.Phil.

Abstract

This study aims to interpret and evaluating the several of synonyms found in Great Andamanese language. The main purpose of the present study is to provide a concise description of the various synonyms that exist in the language of Great Andamanese. What are the kinds of synonyms available in Great Andamanese and what are the binary oppositions in Great Andamanese?

This study on synonyms in Great Andamanese is based on the data of more than 500 words with their different interpretive meanings. The data for this study was collected for this from primary and secondary sources like books, manuscripts etc. Information on usage of over hundred sets of Synonyms of Great Andamanese have been collected. This data was analysed on the basis of semantic principles.

Keywords: Great Andamanese, Semantics, synonymy, Binary opposition, antonyms, Complementary, Converse, Directional opposites, Reverses, Non-Binary Contrast, Hyponymy, Metonymy.

1. Introduction

This paper presents a descriptive semantic study of synonyms used in the Great Andamanese language.

1.2 Great Andamanese

Various studies in the past, both linguistic and genetic suggests that the Andamanese tribes might be the last remaining generation of of pre-Neolithic Southeast Asia. They represent perhaps the initial settlement by modern humans. Hagelberg (2002) analysed mitochondrial DNA sequences and RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms) of X and Y chromosome and microsatellite markers from members of the Onge, Jarawa and Great Andamanese tribes. They also analysed mtDNA sequences from Andamanese hair samples collected by an ethnographer between 1906 and1908. Their conclusion was that the Andamanese have closer affinities to Asian than to African populations and that they are descendants of the early Palaeolithic or Old Stone Age inhabitants of Southeast Asia. This theory was later challenged by Thangaraj (2005).

There are ten languages in the Great Andamanese family. which can be grouped into three varieties based on their geographical distribution – southern, central, and northern. They include - Aka-Bea and Aka-Bale from the south; Aka-Pucikwar (known as Pujjukar presently), Aka -Kol, Aka –Kede and Aka-Jowoi from the central region; and Aka-Jem, Aka-Bo, Aka-Kora (known as Khora by the present speakers) and Aka-Cari (popularly called Sare by the present speakers) form the northern variety. Except for Jeru and Sare,1 all other Great Andamanese languages are now extinct. Not all languages were mutually intelligible with each other as the languages of the Great Andamanese tribes formed a “linguistic continuum” based on proximity of the tribes to each other. So each language was closely related to that of the neighbouring tribes on each side, but those at the extreme ends of the region were mutually unintelligible. Hence, Aka-Cari (Map 1). From the northern region, was mutually unintelligible with Aka Bea of the southern variety.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Selvaganapathy, M.Phil.
Jawaharlal Nehru University
Brahmaputra Hostel, Jawaharlal Nehru University
New Delhi -110067
selvaganapathy905@gmail.com
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