ISBN: 9788170490586    Publisher: MANAS Publications Year of publishing: 1995     Format:  Hardback No of Pages: 226        

The Aborigines of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (lying in the Bay of Bengal) are among the most ancient races on earth. These people have remained secluded from rest of the world for centuries ? so much so that to know about their history origin manners and customs is an anthropological revelation of high importance. In this endeavour the knowledge of their languages is a must for each of the tribes possesses a distinct dialect traceable however to the same source. The Andamanese languages though belong to one group have no affinities by which we might infer their relatedness with other known group or groups. There is also a distinct poetical dialect and in their songs they subordinate to rhythm not only the form of words but even the syntax. The ?Manual? is the first of its kind on the subject of various Andamanese dialects. The author who lived among these people for a long time took the services of several interpreters for each dialect to ensure correctness.
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