Theory of sphota

This presentation is on Theory of Sphota.

1. Theory of Sphota by Nidhi Jasani Email : [email protected]

2. Theory of Sphota Theory of Sphota is given by Bhartrhari . Sphota theory originally found in Sanskrit language. This term is used in Sanskrit grammar ( vyakarana ).

3. Origin of the term While the sphoṭa theory proper ( sphoṭavāda ) originates with Bhartṛhari , the term has a longer history of use in the technical vocabulary of Sanskrit grammarians, and Bhartṛhari may have been building on the ideas of his predecessors, whose works are partly lost. Sanskrit sphoṭa is etymologically derived from the root sphuṭ 'to burst'. It is used in its technical linguistic sense by Patañjali (2nd century BCE), in reference to the "bursting forth" of meaning or idea on the mind as language is uttered. Patañjali's sphoṭa is the invariant quality of speech. The acoustic element ( dhvani ) can be long or short, loud or soft, but the sphoṭa remains unaffected by individual speaker differences (Wikipedia).  . 

4. Bhartrhari’s view on Sphota Bhartrhari’s view is that meaning is not conveyed from the speaker to the listener, rather, the spoken words serve only as stimulus to reveal or uncover the meaning which was already present in the mind of the hearer.

5. Sphota Theory

6. Sphota theory In meaningful language, linguists recognize two entities, both of which may be called words.

7. The articulated sound pattern which is the external facet of the language symbol. Other is attached to the meaning, it is semantic facet which expires the meaning ( Kunjunni ).

8. Bhartrhari’s analysis envisages three aspects of the language situation. The Vakrta - dhavni The Prakrta-dhavni The Sphota

9. The Vakrta - dhavni

10. The Prakrta-dhavni The Prakrta-dhavni , the phonological structure, the sound-pattern of the norm; or, from another point of view, the name of the class of which the various instances are members. Both the speaker and the listener are conscious of the normal phonological pattern alone. The time-sequence is still present in this. It may be considered as the acoustic image of the normal expression, or the expression in the mind, keeping the time-order with it.

11. The Sphota The Sphota , the integral linguistic symbol, which is the unit of meaning, but which can be not pronounce or written. This is manifested by the prakrta-dhavni . In fact it is the prakrta-dhavni considered as an integral, meaning-bearing, linguistic sign.

12. Bibliography Kunjunni , Raja. " Bhartrhri's Discussion of the Nature of the Sphota ." Indian Aesthetics. n.d . 272-281. Wikipedia. sphota -Wikipedia. 21 january 2017 <http://www.wikipedia.com>.