[ The following text is based on Marathi article Sanskrit Parichay Bhaag 1 written by Late Mrs. Shubhangi Ranade and published in the Sanskritdeepika website.]
Sanskrit language is the main source of all Indian languages and major contributor in development of major foreign languages. In ancient times, Sanskrit was used as a colloquial language. All ancient literature like Vedas, Ramayan, Mahabharat, various scientific and religious books are composed in Sanskrit language. Sanskrit literature also contains a vast treasure of essays, poems, dramas and stories. Hence, Sanskrit has gained universal respectable status.
This also answers the most common and obvious question. Why we should learn this ancient language, it is not in active use. The answer lies in the precious store of knowledge accumulated and refined by great human minds since ancient times with life long studies to explore the nature of universe and noble ways for sustainable development of society.
The other reason is the pure joy in reading the rich literature full with poetic beauty and vivid description of human interactions and events leading to social and religious movements.
However, it is generally assumed that Sanskrit language is very complex and difficult to learn. But it is not true. Because, any language cannot be grouped as easy or difficult. It mainly depends on how we look at it. Through green glass, we see everything green whereas it appears red if we see through red glass. There are various types of people in the world. Their languages are also different. Still all speak and communicate with each other in their respective languages with ease.
For expressing thoughts and views they use gestures, hand movements and native spoken language or writing script. The scripts or method of writing is not same for all languages. For example some use pictorial signs, some use Devnagari script, some use Roman script and so on. Moreover, the spoken language and pronunciation style vary from place to place. While talking we use small or long sentences, change our voice and pitch to express our views more effectively. What ever is true for speaking, same holds good in case of writing. We can change the style of writing as we do while speaking.
The writing script for Sanskrit language is Devnagari. For Marathi, Hindi languages also Devnagari script is used. Hence it becomes easier for people speaking Marathi and Hindi to learn Sanskrit language. Many North Indian languages have similarity to Devnagari script with minor changes in character shapes. All Indian languages include large number of Sanskrit words, hence their pronunciation is same even though writing scripts are different.
Sanskrit language has a logical structure of grammar composition and its capability of building new words appropriate to express new ideas and objects. It has a magical property of flexibility and combination to transform the prose text into poetic stanzas. Even the basic grammar developed by Panini is the in form of sutras.
The traditional approach of learning language starts with learning grammar. However, it is seen that language can be easily learned by actual use. The modern approach for teaching foreign language also rests mainly on actual use. Speaking, reading and writing are three steps in mastering language. Child learns her mother tongue by listening and speaking. Initially there are mistakes in pronunciation and construction of sentences. But this learning is effortless and natural.
We should use same approach to learn Sanskrit. First listen to simple sentences, shlokas and poems. Recite and understand general meaning. Try to modify and use to construct new sentences with minor modifications. This will create confidence in learning and remove fear of complexity of grammar.
Next stage is to learn the grammar. This activity can go parallel for elders. While learning grammar also the emphasis should be on repetition and actual examples rather than concentrating on classification, rules and exceptions.
Once we get conversant with the language and the literature in that language, we get impetus to learn grammar in detail. The learning of grammar then becomes a natural outcome.
Dnyandeep has developed Sanskritdeepika website (http://www.sanskritdeepika.org) for teaching Sanskrit to school children. The emphasis of the site is not on grammar but on presentation of plenty of examples with audio clip support. It is expected that students will understand and remember grammar rules by reading and practising the examples of translation and using ready reckoner tables of nouns and verbs.
Now Dnyandeep has started developing Android and iOS apps for teaching Sanskrit. Sanskrit Shabdakosh and Subhashitani android apps are already published. In future we plan to develop apps for various facets of Sanskrit grammar and literature.
Sanskrit language is the main source of all Indian languages and major contributor in development of major foreign languages. In ancient times, Sanskrit was used as a colloquial language. All ancient literature like Vedas, Ramayan, Mahabharat, various scientific and religious books are composed in Sanskrit language. Sanskrit literature also contains a vast treasure of essays, poems, dramas and stories. Hence, Sanskrit has gained universal respectable status.
This also answers the most common and obvious question. Why we should learn this ancient language, it is not in active use. The answer lies in the precious store of knowledge accumulated and refined by great human minds since ancient times with life long studies to explore the nature of universe and noble ways for sustainable development of society.
The other reason is the pure joy in reading the rich literature full with poetic beauty and vivid description of human interactions and events leading to social and religious movements.
However, it is generally assumed that Sanskrit language is very complex and difficult to learn. But it is not true. Because, any language cannot be grouped as easy or difficult. It mainly depends on how we look at it. Through green glass, we see everything green whereas it appears red if we see through red glass. There are various types of people in the world. Their languages are also different. Still all speak and communicate with each other in their respective languages with ease.
For expressing thoughts and views they use gestures, hand movements and native spoken language or writing script. The scripts or method of writing is not same for all languages. For example some use pictorial signs, some use Devnagari script, some use Roman script and so on. Moreover, the spoken language and pronunciation style vary from place to place. While talking we use small or long sentences, change our voice and pitch to express our views more effectively. What ever is true for speaking, same holds good in case of writing. We can change the style of writing as we do while speaking.
The writing script for Sanskrit language is Devnagari. For Marathi, Hindi languages also Devnagari script is used. Hence it becomes easier for people speaking Marathi and Hindi to learn Sanskrit language. Many North Indian languages have similarity to Devnagari script with minor changes in character shapes. All Indian languages include large number of Sanskrit words, hence their pronunciation is same even though writing scripts are different.
Sanskrit language has a logical structure of grammar composition and its capability of building new words appropriate to express new ideas and objects. It has a magical property of flexibility and combination to transform the prose text into poetic stanzas. Even the basic grammar developed by Panini is the in form of sutras.
The traditional approach of learning language starts with learning grammar. However, it is seen that language can be easily learned by actual use. The modern approach for teaching foreign language also rests mainly on actual use. Speaking, reading and writing are three steps in mastering language. Child learns her mother tongue by listening and speaking. Initially there are mistakes in pronunciation and construction of sentences. But this learning is effortless and natural.
We should use same approach to learn Sanskrit. First listen to simple sentences, shlokas and poems. Recite and understand general meaning. Try to modify and use to construct new sentences with minor modifications. This will create confidence in learning and remove fear of complexity of grammar.
Next stage is to learn the grammar. This activity can go parallel for elders. While learning grammar also the emphasis should be on repetition and actual examples rather than concentrating on classification, rules and exceptions.
Once we get conversant with the language and the literature in that language, we get impetus to learn grammar in detail. The learning of grammar then becomes a natural outcome.
Dnyandeep has developed Sanskritdeepika website (http://www.sanskritdeepika.org) for teaching Sanskrit to school children. The emphasis of the site is not on grammar but on presentation of plenty of examples with audio clip support. It is expected that students will understand and remember grammar rules by reading and practising the examples of translation and using ready reckoner tables of nouns and verbs.
Now Dnyandeep has started developing Android and iOS apps for teaching Sanskrit. Sanskrit Shabdakosh and Subhashitani android apps are already published. In future we plan to develop apps for various facets of Sanskrit grammar and literature.
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