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Title: Join the language of the week club
Review: The title to my review is tongue-in-cheek; however, to use Woolner as an introduction to the Prakrits (Middle Indic languages) requires a grounding in Sanskrit and in historical linguistics. The first portion of the book provides the basic introduction to what languages and literature is considered Prakrit, the phonetics of Prakrits, and the fundamental grammar. The second portion provides texts to read in Sauraseni, Maharastri, Jain Maharastri, Ardha-Magadhi, Magadhi, Avanti, Bhasa, Pali, etc. There is an adequate but not great index supplied. For anyone interested in reading classical Indian drama or Jain scripture and philosophy, this is a must have text and reference.
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