தொல்காப்பியமும் அகராதியியலும்

Tolkappiyam and Lexicography

Abstract

The Uriyiyal (Etymology section) of Tolkappiyam serves as the beginning of Tamil dictionary history. Besides Uriyiyal, there are several verses in other sections like Idaiyiyal and Marabiyiyal that provide word meanings and explanations. The Uriyiyal section of Tolkappiyam and certain meaning-explaining verses found in Tolkappiyam can contribute to the creation of a historically-based Tamil dictionary. Apart from this direct contribution, this article attempts to derive some concepts related to applied lexicography or methods that can assist in dictionary-making from certain verses created by Tolkappiyar for other purposes. Based on inferences drawn from verses created for other purposes, this article tries to extract some ideas related to applied lexicography. The article is divided into two parts: the first part contains some general information about Uriyiyal, and the second part presents information related to lexicography derived from Tolkappiyam verses.