A Grammar of the Tamil Language: With an Appendix

by Charles Theophilus Ewald Rhenius

Excerpt from A Grammar of the Tamil Language: With an Appendix

From the poetical writings, Tamil style and diction, as used in common life, cannot be learned: because they contain so many old Tamil words, which are not at all in use now, and so many terminations and modes different from those in common conversation, that it is not at all intelligible, except after hearing the explana tion of learned men; and even they cannot understand at once any poem written in that manner, withoutmuch difficulty. Those poetical writings contain indeed explanations in prose; and from them something more of Tamil style and diction may be attained; but they also differ much from the style used in civil life, and not unfrequently require another explanation to make them intelligible.

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312 pages, Paperback

First published May 5, 2011

About the author

Charles Theophilus Ewald Rhenius (5 November 1790 – 5 June 1838) was a German-born missionary of the Church Mission Society (CMS). He was the first CMS missionary to arrive in India. For his missionary work in the Tirunelveli district, he came to be known as the "Apostle of Tirunelveli". He was involved in the attempt to revise the Fabricius version of the Tamil Bible and also published a Tamil grammar book. Rhenius’ split from the Anglican Church in 1830 and started his own congregation. Rhenius' work was recognized in 1980 by the Reverend Daniel Abraham, the then Church of South India (CSI) bishop of Tirunelveli diocese. Rhenius's work was given official recognition by the Anglican Communion during the Tirunelveli diocese bicentenary celebration in 1980, in which, all the bishops, including Anglican bishop Stephen Neill and all the presbyters, took an oath in front of the tomb of Rev Rhenius to follow the path of the resting soul, regard to evangelism.