Grammar Classes

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Tibetan language ()

Every language has two parts, spoken and written. Written part is called script whereas the spoken part is known as
dialect. The script used for Tibetan language is named U-chan. Literary it means the letter having horizontal lines over
it. There is also a script named U-med where there is no horizontal lines upon it. U-Chan is the carrier of Buddhist
teachings and U-med is the official script used in Tibetan letter writings.
This U-Chan script was made and invented by a great Tibetan grammarian called Thonmi Sambhota who was said to

be the Prime Minister of greatest Tibetan King Srong Tsen Gam Po

It was 7th century A.D. and

the Mahayana form of Buddhism was in dominant position in Indian sub continent.

Tibetan Alphabets
There are 3o consonants and 4 vowels in Tibetan. Following are the consonants:-



The four vowels are called

and they are shown below with the help of a consonant A since there is no

independent letter for vowels:-

() () () ()
There is great importance of prefixes and suffixes in Tibetan languages. As the Tibetan grammarian had chosen only
30 out of 36 consonant available and only four out of 16 vowels and that too without independent letter, there was
dearth of letters to depict different sounds. So to cover up that deficiency of letters, they created the system of
prefixes, suffixes, surmount and subjoin letters that we will came across latter on. First of all, lets start with prefixes.
They are five in numbers and they are called SVon.ajug.LV// in their native language. In the beginning they were
pronounced, but now a days they are not being pronounced.


Suffixes are ten in number and they are pronounced with half force as compared to the main letters. They are
following:-



The place and pronunciation of Additional Suffixes in Tibetan:There are two additional suffixes in Tibetan grammar. They do not having any pronunciation, but their presence
changes the meaning of that word. These two suffixes are:-


Formation of words

It is very interesting to learn the Formation of words in Tibetan language and the place of main letters in
them. Following facts must be taken into consideration while reading Tibetan texts. Without having the
knowledge of these rules, one may not be able to pronounce Tibetan words and if at all pronounced, it will
be wrong one.
1.

There must be one and only one main letter between two dots.

2.

It is the main letter only that will have vowels, surmount letter or subjoin letter.

3.

The main letter may or may not have any prefix, suffix or additional suffix with it.

4.

Any single letter always will be main letter.


The following six possibilities of formation of Tibetan words are possible and there is not a
single word in Tibetan language beyond these combinations:a.

b.

PM

c.

PMS

d.

MS

e.

MSAs

f.

PMSAs

(Whereas P stands for prefixes, M for main letters, S for suffixes and As for Additional suffixes).

Subjoin and Surmount Letters

Three Subjoins


12

Surmount

There is pain in my leg.

That old man is sleeping.

He is a huntsman.

The suffixes are ten.

That was not very old.

The life of man is not permanent.

Dorje is a Gem.

Is this weapn is sharp.

He came from country rBa

He is a foolish boy.

Do not speak harsh words.

Do not tell a lie.

10

Surmount

He is not a dumb person.

The lamp is on the table.

Today is fifth date.

Gold is expensive than iron.

There are many fruits on the tree.

This book belongs to philosophy.

I have one key.

The skin is thick.

Impermanent like the water bubble.

11 Surmount

Lhasa is in the midst of Tibet.

Tibetan language is not tough.

Door and window are big.

Prayer will commence at morning.

Ear is called Karna in Honorific language.

Tiger will eat meat.

Sin will bring suffering.

Nose and Ear are separate.

He plays in the field.

Frog is in the water.

Doctor is checking the patient.

Give me water.

4 Subjoin Letters

Subjoin

saying?

Not listening even after

Where are you come from?

That belongs to teacher.

Please think over it.

The picture is out of the book.

It is good to work.

11

Subjoin

To mourn is useless.

His name is Tashi

The president is in the chair.

He is my friend.

He is resident of Trehor.

He is not in memory.

His forehead is big.

Children are inside.

She is a dancer.

The king had said.

She is my sister.

The Sun is spherical.

Subjoin

The student is studying.

I like music

He is my teacher.

Wind is cold.

Tibetan language is easy.

Man went to moon.

Subjoin

16

Oh/Hey,
Salt

Cap

Crow,

Horn

Fifteen,

School,

Coat

Pure,

Deer

Grass/Root,


-
-

-

34 30 4 :-

db*vs.bZ/i

Ai.
Au. Ae.
Ao.
(gi.gu/) (Zbs.kYU/) (g+ev.bu/)
(n.ro/)
SVon.ajug.LV/

g.

d.

b.

m.

a/

RJes.ajug.bcu/

g.
m.

Gender of Letters:

v.

d.
a.

n.

r. l.

b.

s/

\o.

mo.
mo.

Qin.tu.mo. mo.gQm

k.
c.
t.
p.
cx.

m.ni
v.

g. Z.
j. z.
d. a.
b. y.
jx.
Q.
w. s.

v.
f.
n.
m.

r.
l.
h.
A.

\o.

mo.

g. d. b. s.

v. m. a.

\o

mo.

b.

a.

q.
].
[.
\.
]x

m.niv.
n. r. l.

m.niv. Qin.tu.
mo.
g.

d.

m.

Parts of Speech:
Noun, Pronoun, Adjective, Gender, Number, Verb, Tense
Noun:In Tibetan Noun is same as it is in English or Hindi. It is the anme of person, place or thing. In Tibetan it is written as

miv./
miv.ni.
gv.zg.gm.dvos.po.gv.Zig.gi.miv.vm.vo.po.cxm.STon.
b*ed.du.gYUr.pai.SG+ao/
gv.zg.sems.cn.dvos.podv.s.]ai.miv.
gv.zg/=person dvos.po/=Thing gv.Zig/=Any vo.po.cxm/=Name b*ed.du/
=used for SG+/ =word
1. Common Noun

rigs.sm.kYi.miv/
LH/
LH.mo/
bod.p. RGY.gr.p.
bRJod.p/

bu/ bu.mo.
ri.

qv.p.

LH.dv.LH.mo.RNms.l.m]od.p.gYis/

Worship the gods and goddesses.

bu.dv.bu.mo.RCXe.yin.adug/

Boy and girl are playing.

qv.p.adi.vai.red/ This house is mine.


bod.p.]xo.dv.RGY.gr.p.]xo.g+ogs.po.red/

Tibetans and Indians are friends.

qo.dgon.p.LT.]ed.ag+o.gi.red/

He will visit the monastery.


2. Proper Noun

gv.zg.gm.b*e.b,g.gi.miv/
LH.s/ jo.qv./ bl.yul/ z).b/ SG+ol.m/
RGY.gr/
RDo.RJe.lgs/
pd(/
]xvs.p/ fi.m/
db*vs.cn.m/
bRJod.p/
LH.s.ns.RGY.gr.[.riv.po.red/ Lhasa is far from India.
SKu.Zbs.l.s)ob.SBYov.b*ed.kYi.adug/
qos.svs.RGYs.l.dd.p.b*ed.kYi.adug/
fi.m.Qr.]xe.pd(.q.\*e.yi.red/
db*v.cn.m.rig.pai.LH.mo.red/

3. Abstract Noun

rv.bZin.gYi.miv/ Qes.a]xor.gYi.miv./
sems.Qugs/ n.]x/ ]xor.b/ dka.d+in/ ,
yg.po/
dga.b/ dkr.po/ riv.]/
RG.b/
4. Collective noun

]xogs.miv./
a]xv.g/ ]g.p/ ]xogs.adu/
dmg.mi/ SDe/

q*u/ ajxin.g&/

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