Language/Marathi/Grammar/Devanagari-script
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Welcome to the lesson on Marathi writing! In this lesson, we will explore the basics of the Marathi Devanagari script, including the letter forms and diacritics. The Devanagari script is used to write several languages in India, including Marathi. It is an ancient script with a rich history and cultural significance. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to read and write basic Marathi words and sentences using the Devanagari script.
The Marathi Devanagari Script[edit | edit source]
History and Significance[edit | edit source]
The Devanagari script has been used for writing Marathi for centuries. It originated from the ancient Brahmi script and has evolved over time. The name "Devanagari" means "script of the city of gods" in Sanskrit, reflecting its religious and cultural importance. Devanagari is also used to write several other languages, including Hindi, Nepali, and Sanskrit. It is known for its beautiful and intricate letter forms, which make it a visually appealing script.
Letter Forms[edit | edit source]
The Devanagari script consists of 52 letters, including vowels and consonants. The letters are written in a left-to-right horizontal line. Each letter has a specific shape and is represented by a unique character. Let's start by learning the vowel letters in Marathi:
| Marathi | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| अ | a | a |
| आ | ā | aa |
| इ | i | i |
| ई | ī | ee |
| उ | u | u |
| ऊ | ū | oo |
| ऋ | ṛ | ri |
| ए | e | e |
| ऐ | ai | ai |
| ओ | o | o |
| औ | au | au |
Now, let's move on to the consonant letters in Marathi:
| Marathi | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| क | k | ka |
| ख | kh | kha |
| ग | g | ga |
| घ | gh | gha |
| ङ | ṅ | nga |
| च | c | cha |
| छ | chh | chha |
| ज | j | ja |
| झ | jh | jha |
| ञ | ñ | nya |
| ट | ṭ | ṭa |
| ठ | ṭh | ṭha |
| ड | ḍ | ḍa |
| ढ | ḍh | ḍha |
| ण | ṇ | ṇa |
| त | t | ta |
| थ | th | tha |
| द | d | da |
| ध | dh | dha |
| न | n | na |
| प | p | pa |
| फ | ph | pha |
| ब | b | ba |
| भ | bh | bha |
| म | m | ma |
| य | y | ya |
| र | r | ra |
| ल | l | la |
| व | v | va |
| श | ś | sha |
| ष | ṣ | ṣa |
| स | s | sa |
| ह | h | ha |
| क्ष | kṣ | ksha |
| त्र | tr | tra |
| ज्ञ | gy | gya |
Diacritics[edit | edit source]
In addition to the basic letter forms, the Devanagari script includes diacritics, which are marks placed above or below the letters to modify their pronunciation. These diacritics are used to represent vowel sounds that are not present in the basic letter forms. Let's look at some examples:
| Marathi | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| ा | ā | a |
| ि | i | i |
| ी | ī | ee |
| ु | u | u |
| ू | ū | oo |
| ृ | ṛ | ri |
| े | e | e |
| ै | ai | ai |
| ो | o | o |
| ौ | au | au |
These diacritics are combined with the vowel letters to form different vowel sounds in Marathi. For example, the combination of the vowel letter इ (i) and the diacritic ा (ā) gives us the sound "ia."
Cultural Significance[edit | edit source]
The Devanagari script is not only a writing system but also a cultural symbol in Maharashtra. It is deeply intertwined with the region's history, literature, and religious traditions. Many important Marathi literary works, such as the writings of Saint Tukaram and the Mahabharata, are written in the Devanagari script. Learning to read and write in Devanagari allows you to connect with Marathi culture on a deeper level and appreciate its rich heritage.
Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]
Now that you have learned the basics of the Marathi Devanagari script, let's practice writing some words and sentences. Fill in the blanks with the correct Devanagari letters or diacritics:
1. म__रा__ी (Marathi) 2. __ति__र (water) 3. __रथी (student) 4. __क्षमा (sorry) 5. __ध्यान (attention)
Answers: 1. मराठी (Marathi) 2. तिर (water) 3. विद्यार्थी (student) 4. क्षमा (sorry) 5. ध्यान (attention)
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Marathi writing! In this lesson, you learned about the Marathi Devanagari script, including the letter forms and diacritics. You also explored the cultural significance of the script and its importance in Marathi literature and traditions. Keep practicing your writing skills to become more proficient in reading and writing Marathi. In the next lesson, we will delve into punctuation conventions used in Marathi writing. Happy learning!
Sources[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Nouns
- Give your Opinion
- Spelling and grammar check
- Future Tense
- Punctuation
- Causative verbs
- 0 to A1 Course
- Nouns namo नामो
- Adverbs