国立情報学研究所 - ディジタル・シルクロード・プロジェクト
『東洋文庫所蔵』貴重書デジタルアーカイブ

the German "z," &c. Compound consonants are easily detected by "doubling" them
in the pronunciation, when the real state of the case at once becomes apparent, as
only a part of it can be repeated by duplication.

In order, however, to present as little difficulty as possible to European readers,
who are accustomed to the particular use of parts of the English alphabet, we ad-
mitted some double letters with the sound as in English, viz. "ch" and "sh."

Substitution of consonants not much differing among themselves is very frequently
met with; we naturally followed the local orthography, as most important for geo-
graphical comparison. In our European, and more particularly the Alpine maps,
there are also numerous instances of applying this principle, whilst a translation of
the name into the form now used in writing it correctly, would render the name
unintelligible in loco.

It is not always easy to separate semi vowels from pure vowels. Like the "y,"
they generally bear phonetically the consonantal character. In the delicate task of
making these and similar distinctions I was materially assisted by having my Calcutta
munshi at Berlin during the work; though unacquainted with any theoretical part
of the questions, he could always reproduce, in any modification of velocity, accen-
tuation, or disintegration, the elementary objects to be examined; and he, finally, also
could assist me by detailing the native spelling now in use.

4. THE ACCENT.

Nature and general occurrence of the accent.

It was with great hesitation we introduced into our transcription the use of a
phonetic accent for every word. Though experiencing from it, from the very first,
the greatest practical benefit during our own observations, and moreover finding it
nearly indispensable for the correct reading of a word, yet the circumstance of this
novelty's not having been proposed in any of the various systems of transcribing
Hindostáni and its neighbouring languages, naturally begat doubts in us as to its
necessity, and to the favour with which it would be received.

In the following remarks, however, I have tried to explain its nature and use,
and I trust that it will be then considered an addition to the transcription not altogether
unworthy of attention, as its introduction considerably facilitates the understanding of