Notes on Mon Epigraphy

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

E-ISSN: 1474-0699|18|2|344-352

ISSN: 0041-977x

Source: Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, Vol.18, Iss.2, 1956-06, pp. : 344-352

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Abstract

In the notes here published an attempt is made to explore some of the peculiar linguistic problems involved in the interpretation of epigraphic texts. As a subject for study these have certain advantages for the linguist: the material on which he bases his conclusions is, at any given time, complete, reducing the chances of his being afterwards confronted with evidence which he has overlooked; its nature limits the directions which his inquiries can take; and since the text is irrevocably committed to stone, he is not delayed by the possibility of infinitely refining his phonetic and phonological observations. It is a cardinal principle of the present investigations that such texts in dead languages carry an implication of utterance; it is equally cardinal that what that implication is cannot be determined, and is not to be educed.