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पान:A Dictionary of the Mahratta Language.djvu/९

विकिस्रोत कडून
या पानाचे मुद्रितशोधन झालेले आहे

PREFACE

If any language could be adopted as the universal medium

of communication with all the different Indian nations, it would

be the Sungskrita, which is indeed not only the key to all. In

dian literature, but also the parent of every language spo-

kes throughout India, in most of which three fourths of the

words and either pure Sungskrita, or so obviously derived

from it as to be instantly recognized by one who has studied

that language. No language therefore can be so useful to an

Oriental student as Sungskrita. That language, however, is

confessedly difficult of acquisition, and notwithstanding the

helps which have, of late, been furnished for this purpose,

very few are found who persevere in studying it e sufficient

length of time to become masters of it.


But were the study of the Sungskrita far more general,

Grammars and Dictionaries of the popular languages would

still be necessary. An acquaintance with Latin would un-

doubtedly assist the philologist in acquiring the Italian, the

Spanish, and some others of the modern languages of Europe;

it is evident, however, that a Latin Grammar and Dictionary

could not supply the place of elementary works in either of

these languages.


The following Dictionary has been written for the sake of