The Concept of Sentence and Meaning: Vistas in Indian Milieu

Book Detail

• Author: Dr. Sarath P. Nath
• Brand: D.K. Printworld Pvt. Ltd.
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of Pages: 180
• Release Date: 01-01-2023
• Part Number: 9788124610671
• EAN: 9788124610671
• Package Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Languages: English

Details:
The definition and sense of "meaning" have been a significant concern for Indian thinkers. To determine this, various philosophical schools—including Mīmāṃsakas, Naiyāyikas, and Śābdikas—have analyzed all components of communication, such as syllables, words, sentences, and speaker intent. These schools arrived at the conclusion that a sentence is fundamental for conveying meaning to a listener.

The theory of Akhandavākya is based on the indivisible Sphoṭa theory, wherein sentence-meaning is experienced through Pratibhā (intuition or immediate cognition). The arrangement of sentences follows the principle of mutual expectancy, allowing the listener to grasp the intended meaning.

Bhartṛhari’s Vākyapadīya (6th century) extensively explains the concept of sentences and their philosophical dimensions within the framework of Indian linguistics. This book systematically presents the philosophy of language from a Bhartṛharian perspective, while also discussing syntactic and semantic thoughts in India.

The work is particularly valuable for scholars familiar with the interpretations of Helarāja and Puṇyarāja, making it a vital contribution to grammatical and linguistic studies.