A Pali Grammar for Students

by Steven Collins

This book is intended for modern students, inside or outside the classroom, as a work of reference rather than a "teach yourself" textbook. It presents an introductory sketch of Pali using both European and South Asian grammatical categories. In English-language works, Pali is usually presented in the traditional terms of English grammar, derived from the classical tradition, with which many modern students are unfamiliar. This work discusses and reflects upon those categories, and has an appendix devoted to them. It also introduces the main categories of traditional Sanskrit and Pali grammar, drawing on, in particular, the medieval Pali text Saddaniti, by Aggavamsa. Each grammatical form is illustrated by examples taken from Pali texts, mostly canonical. Although some previous knowledge of Sanskrit would be helpful, the book can also be used by those without previous linguistic training. A bibliographical appendix refers to other, complementary resources. Steven Collins is professor of South Asian languages and civilizations at the University of Chicago, and was formerly a council member of the Pali Text Society (London). He is the author of Selfless Imagery and Thought in Theravada Buddhism and Nirvana and Other Buddhist Utopias of the Pali Imaginaire.

Steven Collins is Chester D. Tripp Professor in the Humanities at the University of Chicago, and a Council Member of the Pali Text Society (London).

Genres: Buddhism

285 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[oli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting marriage of a modern learner's grammar with the Pali grammatical tradition (e.g. Kaccāyana-vyākaraṇa). Lots of quite clear explanation. Though the author tries to make the book accessible to those without Sanskrit, he is not entirely successful in doing so; some knowledge of that language is an aid in understanding some of the instruction (e.g. on the root/dhātu system).

[Jakarta Pundit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-known Pali scholar, well recommended.