These rows of combined letters may at first sight appear intricate and perplexing; but a little perseverance will enable any one to master them in a very short time. The principle of the formation of each medial vowel is the same throughout, with really very few and slight variations, and it is not difficult in application to the several letters. It is strongly recommended that the student, if in India, should, at first, patiently write the letters from set copies, and continue the practice for some time until he has thoroughly acquired the habit of accurate and ready writing.

(b.) DOUBLE FORM OF THE CONSONANTS.

33. When consonants are doubled, the second letter is placed under the first, but without the vowel mark being attached to it. In most cases this second consonant takes its own proper shape; but the eight following consonants have another and an entirely different form—namely, š ka, éta, Ina, ma, ∞∞ ya, ୪ ra, ela, and ra. The second form of these consonants are as follows: kka, é tta, Inna, mma, yya,& rra, o lla, and S vva. The

second form of a consonant can, in a similar manner, be affixed to any other consonant. Thus: tka, ḍla,

vra. Both letters should be clearly pronounced. Three consonants can also be similarly combined, the second form of the two latter being employed. Thus: ktwa,

S drya.

34. As a rule, the vowel marks are attached to the first of the doubled consonants; but, when pu or 5 pú is doubled, the vowel mark is attached to the second consonant. Thus in a nippu, fire, it will be observed that the vowel form is attached to the second p, but at the side of it, and not underneath.

35. The second form of X ga, namely, gga, appears to be different from the first; but it is really the same, because the lower portion of X ga is usually written like a semicircle.

36. There are certain peculiarities in pronunciation, which are very common, but can only be thoroughly learned by constant practice in talking. Thus: chépa, a fish, chéta, by or in the hand, are almost invariably, though ungrammatically, pronounced chyápa and chyáta.

(3.) EUPHONY IN PRONUNCIATION.

37. Telugu, the sweetest of Oriental languages, is peculiarly sensitive to anything like an hiatus in speech. As. each word ends in a vowel, it is necessary, when any word in

a sentence precedes another which commences with a vowel, to use some device for preventing the hiatus in sound. Either the first vowel is dropped altogether, and the two words run into each other, or a soft and liquid consonant is inserted between them, in order to ensure euphony in the pronunciation. Thus: when the two words 8 rammu, come, and x anu, tell (him), are joined, the final u of the former word is dropped, and the sentence runsrammanu, tell (him) to come. If the words

katti,

a knife, and Jekkaḍa, where, come together, the letter ya is inserted, and the sentence runs-kattiyekkaḍa, where (is) the knife?

38. All Telugu words are divided for this euphonic purpose into two classes. Words in one class are called kalalu, and those in the other drutaprakrutulu.

39. (a.) Kalalu.-Words in the first class insert ∞ ya, between the two vowels.

40. This class consists of the following words:

(1.) All nominative cases, with the exception of nénu, I, and tánu, he; and all the inflexions of nouns. (2.) The postpositions as yokka, of, 80 gurinchi, concerning, o nunchi, from, and some others.

(3.) The final letters á, é and ó, expressing interrogation, emphasis, and doubt.

(4.) Indeclinable particles.

(5.) All interjections and vocatives.

B

(6.) The words యిప్పుడు, అప్పుడు, యెప్పుడు, ippudu, appuḍu, yeppuḍu, now, then, and when.

(7.) Every part of the verb, with the exception of the first and third persons singular, and the third neuter plural of the first form of the past tense and of the affirmative aorist; the first person singular of the negative aorist; the infinitive; the present participle ending in tsu ; and the indefinite relative participle ending in & or

di or du.

41. (b.) Drutaprakrutulu.—Every word not included in the above division is in the class called drutaprakrutulu. Words in this class insert the consonant na to prevent hiatus, and it is placed between the opposing vowels for the sake of euphony. The letter na is called drutamu or fleeting, from which the above word is derived. Thus: ovos inkanémi, what more? The na is here inserted between owo inka, more, and 5∞ émi, what.

(4.) SANDHI, OR UNION.

42. Sandhi, union or junction, is the term used in Sanskrit grammar for the elision and combination of vowels which come together. Except in the case of imported Sanskrit words and phrases, the rules of Sandhi as applied to Telugu are few and simple.

48. No words take Sandhi except those ending in a, i, or u.

(1.) When the final vowel of the first word is a, it may either be omitted altogether, and the word joined to the

following one by the medial form of the initial vowel of the second word, or ya may be inserted. Thus: 35 J mésina ávu, the cow that has grazed, may either become మేసినావు mēsinávu, or మేసినయావు mēsinayávu.

44. As a rule, druta words ending in a do not receive Sandhi, but insert na.

45. (2) Words ending in i do not generally take Sandhi. The exceptions are the second person singular of the first form of the past tense ending in 2 tivi, and the second person plural ending in 8 tiri.

46. In the pronouns & adi, that,

avi, those, ova idi, this, ova ivi, these, a, 2, 2 yédi, yévi, yémi, which and what, Sandhi is optional.

47. (3.) Words ending in u, on the other hand, almost invariably receive Sandhi. There are a few exceptions, which will be readily learned in practice, such as the objective cases of pronouns, I, J, K, nannu, ninnu, tannu, &c., in which it is optional. Thus: ichchenu, he has given, will become

ataḍu attaḍichchenu.

48. All words ending in the short vowels invariably take Sandhi before the words J edu, full, 53 ési, at the rate of, o anta, as much as, e áku, a leaf, and some

other common words beginning with a vowel. múra, a cubit, and Jeḍu, full, become a

Thus:

múreḍu, a