Re: NATLANG/Learning : Sanskrit

>"Tristan McLeay" <kesuari@...> likis:

> Nikhil Sinha wrote:
> > You can't choose between ancient and modrn. Unicode allows only ancient
> > ones. Using the virama , you will be well understood. There is no way to
> > type modern ligatures, except using Devanagari True Type fonts.
>
> When was the change from ancient to modern?
In ancient system, there was a different ligature for each possible
consonant combinations. So, even if ten combinations have a /k/ in it, all
ten will have the /k/ written differently.

In modern system, the same character is used everywhere. So, for example,
all combinations involving /k/ would have /k/ written in the same manner
everywhere. But, this /k/ is called sanyukta akshara (joint letter) and it
different from the normal /k/ which is followed by a vowel. The normal /k/
is just an akshara (letter).

Seeing the interest of so many people in Devanagari, I am putting together a
page about Devanagri and its modern ligatures. But, this will take a long
time. The main problem is that I always have to switch fonts.

Nikhil