A Study of the Utility of Orthography for Meaningful Expression in Language

Abstract

The relationship between orthography and meaningful expression is crucial with regard to any given language, though opponents of orthographic rules or patterns often argue that orthography is not an essential element in generating meanings. A common characteristic of these debates is the lack of a proper quantitative explanation regarding the relation between orthography and the semantic aspects of language. Hence, the present study is an attempt to examine the nature of this relationship in a critical manner. Accordingly, the primary research question here is whether orthography plays a crucial role in generating meaning in language. In exploring this research question, library research under qualitative research method and insider perspective as a native speaker is employed while concepts such as Vaikruthadhvani, Prakrutadhvani and Spota of Bhartruhari; Abhithanvaya or the Indian theory of 'relation of the denoted meaning; Anvithabhidhana or the theory of the denotation of the related meaning; the concept of Akhanda Shabdavali, the theory of Artha Sanjanana Vyarapathra of the Dvani school and Homophones are also examined. All these theories or conceptions are examined retrospectively from the perspective of a native speaker. Prakrutidhavi is necessary for Spota, while a Vaikrutadvani is transformed into a Prakrutadhvani after absorbing the meaning. In speaking, the special pronunciation elements in Vaikrutadhvani, such as Pasarapalitha or nonpasarapalitha do not hinder meaning generation. Any speaker expresses a consistent sequence of sounds in any utterance while the listener too grasps the meaning of what he or she hears in the form of such a sound sequence. After this initial step, utterances are understood as collections of 'words'. In revealing the essence of the expression of meanings, certain factors bear special attention, including grammar, Upamana, Nighantu, Aptavachana, Vyavahara and Prasiddhapadantara Samabhihara. Further, the expression of the intended meaning of these various words with different meanings depends on the context. Hence, the literal meaning has to be identified from the context and then reveal the meanings of words. The diversity in meaning leads to ambiguity, and the orthographic conventions limit such ambiguities to a greater extent in writing. Even though orthographic conventions help resolve the ambiguities in writing caused by the complex variety of meanings, the revelation of meaning in language does not depend solely on orthography alone. The verbal context, as well as the context of a situation, are equally important to understanding the proper meaning(s) of a given word. Hence, meanings could not be understood without considering discourse.