MAKING OF THE GARHWALI-HINDI-ENGLISH DICTIONARY
Dr. Achlanand Jakhmola
Dr. Hardev Bahri, the reputed lexicographer, in the introduction of his voluminous and popular ‘Comprehensive English-Hindi Dictionary’ mentions about the difficulties of lexicography. According to him twenty five editors, nine editorial assistants and 207 special editors worked incessantly for several years to prepare a revised edition of Webster’s Dictionary which appeared in 1924 at a cost of 1,300,000 dollars (presently about Rs. Ten Crores)! It took 33 years to prepare and publish the ‘Sanskrit-German Warter Bush’ dictionary. The ‘Dictionary of English Language’ By Dr Samuel Johnson was prepared in 26 years. The first edition of the world famous Oxford dictionary was completed in 70 years! Only the third generation of editors could see it published.
Here in India, the famous lexicographer, Dr. Raghuvira had adequate resources of Madhya Pradesh Government at his disposal and he could employ a good number of assistants, besides taking help from about 66 specialists. But it took a number of years to complete his famous English-Hindi dictionary. This is another matter that since he was an erudite Sanskrit scholar, he used very difficult Sanskritised Hindi for giving meanings of English words, with the result that the dictionary could not be very popular. It is said that Jawahar Lal Nehru, an Urdu enthusiast, while going through this dictionary, containing highly Sanskritised Hindi counterparts for English words, thought of throwing it in the waste paper basket! Again, for compiling the monumental Hindi Shabd Sagar, there were a large number of renowned scholars to assist the Chief Editor Dr. Shyam Sunder Das, the Head of Department of Hindi, Benaras Hindu University, yet the dictionary took 20 years for completion. Same is the case with so many other dictionaries.
The idea of making a Garhwali-Hindi-English dictionary was conceived, discussed, deliberated upon and planned under the aegis of Akhil Garhwal Sabha in a number of meetings, seminars and workshops held on 17-18 December 2005 and afterwards, at Dehradun, Shrinagar (Garhwal) and other places. In these seminars a large number of well known writers, scribes, poets, novelists and litterateurs of Garhwali language and literature, besides its well wishers, participated from time to time. In the beginning it was planned to make a Garhwali-Hindi bilingual dictionary. Some friends, however, subsequently opined that with a view to making the proposed dictionary broad- based and more popular, we should include English also in it. Accepting their good advice, it was decided to make it a trilingual ‘Garhwali-Hindi-English’ dictionary.
The project was pretty ambitious. This was a time-consuming task which would require a team of devoted and hard working scholars, litterateurs and writers, sufficiently learned and proficient in all the three languages, for a long period. After lengthy deliberations, we aimed and planned for a comprehensive, yet medium sized, easy to handle, standard, practical, reasonably priced, purposeful and an ideal Garhwali–Hindi-English dictionary, in which meanings of Garhwali words, phrases, idioms, and sayings from all walks of life in the entire Garhwal region would be included and their meanings given by mentioning their counterparts, equivalents, synonyms, antonyms, explanations, elaborations, elucidations or examples in Hindi and English. So far no such attempt appeared to have ever been made to give English equivalents in either of the previously published two small Garhwali-Hindi dictionaries.
During the above mentioned seminars, meetings and conferences the aspects and methods of making this trilingual dictionary, its constituents, the funds and other resources required, probable challenges etc. were discussed in detail. Since my area of research for my D. Phil. Degree in Allahabad University (1961) was lexicography, I contributed my bit in these deliberations. A number of participants volunteered to associate themselves with the project and assured of their full contribution and support.
Collection of words and to find their sources was our first priority. For this different areas were identified. This included visits to all parts of Garhwal region, listening to the conversation of people and recording the words as spoken. Some volunteers were to collect words from books, magazines and other printed material in Garhwali language. All this was discussed and tasks assigned to willing volunteers. A small group of editors was also formed. This writer was asked to take on the responsibility of Chief Editor of the proposed dictionary.
For recording of words about 30000 cards of 5” x 2” size were obtained from Delhi and distributed among the willing volunteers. The method of filling the details of collected words in the cards was elaborately explained in these seminars, at times by giving examples on blackboard. We had set a broad and wide spectrum with vast array for assemblage of words. Firstly, we aimed at all the available printed literature containing Garhwali words. There were previously published two small Garhwali–Hindi dictionaries having about 4000 to 5000 words each, one compiled by Shri Jailal Verma and the other by Shri Malchand Ramola. Although these did no cover the entire Garhwal region we did not hesitate in borrowing some words from them. Two Kumaoni–Hindi and two Rajasthani–Hindi dictionaries also proved to be of some help. We knew that Garhwali, Kumaoni and to some extent eastern Rajasthani languages, have considerable similarities. Quite a number of words are identical, although at times slight variation in spellings, pronunciation and usage exist. We collected such word from these dictionaries also. Garhwali words in published books, magazines and newspapers were of much help.
There is considerable increase in the vocabulary of Garhwali language from about the middle of nineteenth century. Half of the then Garhwal had come under the British rule in 1815 A.D. Consequent to the improvement in communication systems, mutual contact among people within and outside Garhwal started growing. The British government made Hindi the language of education and Urdu the language of courts in Garhwal also. Many young men from Garhwal started joining Army and came in contact with British officers, English language and people from other parts of country. Accordingly, considerable number of words from Hindi, Urdu (Arabic and Persian), English and other foreign languages, besides other provinces of India, started merging with Garhwali, although with slight localised pronunciation, changed tone, stress and spellings. But words of day-to-day use, spoken by common people in the entire Garhwal region were in abundance and would form major part of the dictionary.
We discussed the methods of collecting and recording of words in the cards with our associates. Against each word, part of speech and other grammatical forms, meaning and any other particulars were to be recorded on individual cards. After sufficient cards were ready these were to be delivered to Garhwal Sabha or directly to me. The other system for collecting the words for a dictionary was ‘copy method’. In this, words with their particulars are recorded in a copy and subsequently arranged alphabetically. Option was there this system also but we found that the ‘card method’ was more systematic and scientific. So far, all appeared to be moving in correct direction as planned. It seemed to be very encouraging. We were thus full of enthusiasm and settled down to work hoping for the best.
Challenges were however, awaiting us ahead. For the coming few months there was no response from any quarter. Rumours reached us that a large number of the persons volunteering earlier were now dilly-dallying, showing indifference and then reluctance and finally backing out! We were disillusioned. On enquiries, we came to know that most of them found the work disinteresting, stressful, time-consuming and thankless as compared to writing other genre of literature such as poems, stories or joke books. To add, almost none had prior experience or knowledge of the principles of lexicography or dictionary making. However, Shri Bhagwati Prasad Nautiyal, the convener and coordinator of the project, Shri Shivraj Singh Rawat and few others stood there like a rock till the end. We made fresh efforts to get additional volunteers. Fortunately over the period of time we had a team of about half a dozen dedicated and committed associates who not only assisted in collecting the words from different sources, but some them also formed part of the editorial board later.
I kept myself in touch with all the associates by writing personal letters or on telephone, requesting for full support, exhorting at times to contribute their best. Open letters sent to each participant were also published in local papers. I also wrote articles for almost all regional papers and magazines giving model examples of the prospective dictionary and elaborating how various constituents, parts and components of the planned dictionary should be handled. When the progress seemed less than expected, we included a few more associates.
We had been starving for resources, especially funds, for this ambitious project. We made persistent efforts, wrote to various agencies and organisations but to no avail. Finally however, we were partly relieved when the Government of Uttarakhand assured us of some financial help, attached of course with certain conditions. After some time they released part of it to Garhwal Sabha, Dehradun, who were managing the entire project.
Slowly, some bundle of cards filled with words and their details started trickling down to us. Members of the editorial board and me were also busy in collecting words from various sources and recording them in cards or in a copy. A few months later more cards were deposited with us from various sources. We were exhilarated! The strenuous, ceaseless and persistent efforts of our dedicated associates and volunteers seemed paying dividends!
Another major issue however, appeared before us very soon. When we assembled all these cards at one place, we found that there were heaps and heaps of words in front of us! I was reminded of Dr. Samuel Johnson’s dilemma and predicament. While making his epoch making ‘Dictionary of the English Language’, the great linguist, scholar and lexicographer, when saw the multitude of words before him had remarked that ‘it is not the darkness (paucity of words) but light (abundance of words) that is worrisome and impedimental’. We could not decide what to do with these stockpiles of words until these were arranged in alphabetical order. We were aware of the fact that as compared to computers in Roman script, there was as yet, no provision of arranging all the words in alphabetical order in the computers of Devnagari script. We had no other option but to do it manually with the help of some additionally engaged assistants. Evidently it consumed a lot of human effort and time.
After all the words were arranged alphabetically, we were aghast to find that many a time, the same word at times with minor phonetic variation but having exactly alike meaning, was included by a number of word-collectors without the knowledge of each other. We knew it was unavoidable. The words pertaining to flora, fauna, agriculture, domestic and wild animals, religious rituals, innumerable gods, goddesses and deities were in abundance. Keeping the size of the proposed dictionary in view, we could certainly not include all these words. We therefore, followed the dictum of that famous Sanskrit lexicographer – Mallinath Suri, and excluded all unnecessary, antiquated, archaic, redundant, obsolete, unimportant words or those spoken by a very small group of people or tribes in the far flung areas. Instead, we gave priority to more popular, useful, presently in vogue spoken or written words. We always had to bear in mind the historical, geographical, social, cultural and most important, the professional needs of the present and future generation of the region at large. Therefore, we tried our best to ensure that words pertaining to these areas do find a place in the dictionary.
Owing to dialectal and inter- dialectal variations in the entire hill region, there exists considerable phonological diversification with different spellings (numbering some times to a dozen) for the same word although they have the same meaning. It was a challenge to select one of these as a ‘standard’ word for ‘main entry’ or ‘head word’. But we also had to keep in mind that so far the Garhwali language has not yet been ‘standardised’. So, here every word in print or otherwise can claim to be a standard one. Among other important features of a dictionary, especially the one using Roman script is that it must offer ‘correct and standard spellings of words’. But in the absence of mutually accepted standardisation of the Garhwali language as yet, we were in quandary. We could not include all the phonological variations of the same word. After going through the cards carefully again we decided to accept the spellings of words given by more writers. In some cases, we decided to accept more than one phonological variation of the same word by putting an optional mark in between them but restricted the number of such variations up to four only. The most popular form was of course given main entry as ‘head word’ expecting that in due course of time this would be accepted as a standard one.
Similarly, indicating the parts of speech and other grammatical forms of each word also required adequate knowledge of grammar and familiarity with the dialect and the sub-dialects of Garhwal region. In the absence of a comprehensive and authentic grammar of Garhwali language so far, we had to depend largely on usage of a particular word, especially with regard to indicating gender. In certain cases, the same word could also be used in both the genders and various parts of speech. A noun could be used as adjective and vice versa at various places. In such cases both or all the applicable parts of speech were indicated.
We knew that the real importance of a dictionary is judged by the meanings of words given in it. A normal user consults the dictionary essentially to search and find out an appropriate meaning for a particular word. Careful attention had, therefore, to be paid in this direction. The meanings in a dictionary are normally indicated by giving alike, analogous, comparable, corresponding, interchangeable or parallel word of the same language or the other intended language/languages. The lexicographer, while giving the meaning in his dictionary, is required to be alive to the sensitivities of people. It is said that when Dr. Samuel Johnson, in his famous dictionary, elaborated the word ‘oats’ as ‘a grain used for horses in England and for people in Scotland’, there was a pandemonium in the British parliament by the members of Scotland! Johnson was so exasperated by these controversies about his method of giving meanings that he explained the word ‘lexicographer’ as ‘a writer of dictionaries, a harmless drudge’. He had in fact no intentions of harming his brethren from Scotland!
While handling this important aspect of giving ‘meaning’ in this dictionary, it was comparatively easier in the cases of visibly objective words by mentioning their counterparts in Hindi or English. But we had to keep in mind that more than one third of words in Garhwali are of native origin. Here exist a large number of words for local food items, utensils, apparel, ornaments, instruments, implements or tools for day to day use. There are fruits, vegetables, plants, trees or other products exclusively used by local people or available in Garhwal region only. We could not find suitable corresponding words in Hindi or English for a large number of such words. To some extent the local food items could be explained by its taste, colour, the method of its preparation, the ingredients used in it, the time taken in cooking it or particular occasions for which it is prepared. At times such exclusively local word could be explained by describing its use, size, shape, colour, or the material used in making it. An ornament or clothing item could be explained by indicating the part of body where it is used or worn by men or women. The easiest way to give meaning of such word, used in many dictionaries, is to take the simplest recourse to phrases such as ‘a kind of’ or ‘a type of’ (food, apparel, ornament, fruit, vegetable etc.).
Besides, there are peculiar social traditions, conventions, practices, faiths and beliefs, cultural legacies, a host of gods, goddesses, local deities, a symbol of divinity, or of a village-god (gram-devta), with different methods of observing or worshipping or following them. Then there are umpteen number of ghosts, fairies; rituals, systems of worship and veneration. We could not forget the words and phrases for peculiar diseases and illnesses. There are at times curious, eccentric or bizarre methods of curing these ailments or placating the innumerable, imaginative or evil spirits or fiends. With advancement in education and contact with outside world most of these old beliefs, faiths and practices are not followed by majority of people now, but in some remote villages or people sticking to their ancestral traditions, these practices and traditions still remain in the vocabulary. In order to present a complete picture of the cultural and historical picture of Garhwal we could not ignore these words. But to find an equivalent word or phrase in Hindi and English for such words was a challenging task before us.
It may be remembered that a large number of words in Garhwali language are available for expressing deep rooted pathos, forlornness, sufferance, endurance, sympathy, affection, different moods, temperaments, passion, emotions etc. for which analogous or corresponding terms in Hindi or English are difficult to find. In fact some words in the Garhwali language have no equivalents whatsoever in any language of the world. In this dictionary we had to elaborate such terms or give their meanings in lengthy sentences. The same method was adopted for describing the words having exclusive social, cultural, mythological, historical and legendary references or background.
This Garhwali-Hindi-English trilingual dictionary is an extensive work of 730 pages, containing about 30,000 main entries. This strenuous effort of five years should hopefully be useful to common readers, students, teachers, research scholars and all those who are interested in Garhwali language. The dictionary may also contribute to help in enriching, enhancing and strengthening this language.
