Sam, don't worry about the spelling. There was no such thing as standardized spelling until the 19th century. This was primarily because they only started writing dictionaries in the mid to late 18th century. That was when the idea arose that there was one right way to spell a word. Even though I personally struggled with spelling when I was young, I think standardized spelling enables faster reading, so I am in favor of it generally. Maybe this is another way in which the spirit of India has not been crushed by Western conformity.
“It's a poor mind that can find only one way to spell a word.”
As a person who has the good fortune to claim Mysuru as my birthplace, and as the hometown of my mother and her family, I can say this is not a issue with spelling as much as it is a deep and divisive example of colonialism and its destructive, although perfectly understandable, effect on the locals who who spoke in dulcet Kannada. Little did they know that when they mispronounced their own names to keep up with the cantankerous demands of the British wielding their mightiest weapon, the English language with its innocent incapacity to pronounce anything right in India. For the record, Mysore was always Mysuru as we all
knew in our Mysuru hearts; Wodeyar by any other name never quite captured the Kannada sound of royalty, Tipu by all his names should by rights mean grand rocketry, even if not beloved by his Hindu citizenry. E.M. Forster once said about Indians imitating the British by ceaselessly and triumphantly uttering foolishly deployed idioms (to paraphrase) that there was once a dignified people in India before the English language arrived.
Sam, don't worry about the spelling. There was no such thing as standardized spelling until the 19th century. This was primarily because they only started writing dictionaries in the mid to late 18th century. That was when the idea arose that there was one right way to spell a word. Even though I personally struggled with spelling when I was young, I think standardized spelling enables faster reading, so I am in favor of it generally. Maybe this is another way in which the spirit of India has not been crushed by Western conformity.
“It's a poor mind that can find only one way to spell a word.”
Quote attributed to Andrew Jackson
Oh, excellent point! Thank you.
As a person who has the good fortune to claim Mysuru as my birthplace, and as the hometown of my mother and her family, I can say this is not a issue with spelling as much as it is a deep and divisive example of colonialism and its destructive, although perfectly understandable, effect on the locals who who spoke in dulcet Kannada. Little did they know that when they mispronounced their own names to keep up with the cantankerous demands of the British wielding their mightiest weapon, the English language with its innocent incapacity to pronounce anything right in India. For the record, Mysore was always Mysuru as we all
knew in our Mysuru hearts; Wodeyar by any other name never quite captured the Kannada sound of royalty, Tipu by all his names should by rights mean grand rocketry, even if not beloved by his Hindu citizenry. E.M. Forster once said about Indians imitating the British by ceaselessly and triumphantly uttering foolishly deployed idioms (to paraphrase) that there was once a dignified people in India before the English language arrived.
Dwarakanath Rao
Amazing history seamlessly merged with a great travelogue! This material was faxcinating!
Thank you so much!!!
Extremely interesting history. Thanks!
Thank-you!