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-----Original Message----- From: m.jefferson <[log in to unmask]> To: Michael Smith <[log in to unmask]> Date: Sunday, November 28, 1999 3:46 PM Subject: Re: Urdu,Hindi etc >Dear Michael >Most obliged for your very positive and productive response. Look forward >to receiving the photocopy. >I think there is room (certainly in my library)for an updated glossary as a >reference volume to RK's 'Indian' stories and poems. > >I am entertained by a footnote in an 1892 edition of Barrack Room Ballads >which has relevance to George Engel's astute observation about self >assessment of linguistic ability. > >The poem is ' ROUTE MARCHIN' > >'An' 'ow they would admire for to hear us sling the bat*....' > >The footnote relates to 'bat' >and states: > >Language *. Thomas' first and firmest conviction is that he is a profound >orientalist and a fluent speaker of Hindustani. As a matter of fact, he >depends mainly on sign language. > >Did RK write the footnotes ? >In fact 'bat' means matter or talk. Language is 'zaban' (Urdu) >A glossary aligned to the unique and subtle translation of RK's 'Indian' >stories and poems with his somewhat unique version of >Urdu/Hindustani/Hindi would ensure that future generations with no >connections with the delightful life of the Raj would still appreciate in >full RK's wonderful work. > >Regards >Michael Jefferson >-----Original Message----- >From: Michael Smith <[log in to unmask]> >To: m.jefferson <[log in to unmask]>; [log in to unmask] ><[log in to unmask]>; John Radcliffe <[log in to unmask]> >Cc: Kipling Mailbase <[log in to unmask]> >Date: Sunday, November 28, 1999 8:48 AM >Subject: Re: Urdu,Hindi etc > > >>Dear Michael - Liz - John >>To answer Michaels final point - A glossary of Hindustani words to be found >>in RK's works appears in KJ No 3 pp 228-30.(W.G.B.Maitland) I will >>photocopy it for Michael & Liz, although perhaps John might like to put it >>on the web site! No 57 carries and article by Lt.Gen Sir George Mac Munn >>entitled "Kipling's Hindustani" - likewise. No 226 carries "Language >>aspects in Kim" by David Stewart - No 171 has "Kipling's use of >>Indo-Pakistani languages" by Shamsul Islam which engendered some >>correspondence in Nos 172 & 174. There are others which I'll need to track >>down. >> >>Michael Smith >> > %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%