ICH 2016
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/14540
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Item The proper usage of synonyms in the Hindi Language(Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Lansakara, R.N.This research draws upon the proper usage of synonyms in the Hindi language. A synonym is a word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase in the same language. As the Hindi language is rich with a vast vocabulary, often we can see plenty of synonyms for a single word. As a matter of fact, no synonyms have exactly the same meaning (in all contexts or social levels of languages) because etymology, orthography, phonic qualities, ambiguous meanings, usage etc. make them unique. Thus, each and every synonym cannot be replaced the related word or phrase in the same environment. Synonyms can be any part of speech [such as nouns – pа:ni:/ʝəl (water), verbs - de:khan:/ta:kna: (to see), adjectives - bəɤa:/wiʃa:l (big), adverbs – te:z/ʃi:ghrə (quickly) or prepositions - pər/u:pər (on)] as long as both words belong to the same part of speech. Different words that are similar meaning usually differ for a reason. ʝəl is more formal than pа:ni:, bəɤa: and wiʃa:l are only synonyms in one usage and not in others (for an example the word bəɤa: bha:i: ‘big brother’ is not same as wiʃa:l bha:i: ‘vast brother’). Trough showing that all synonyms which stand for one word or phrase cannot be used in the same environment, this research highlights the importance of the proper usage of synonyms in Hindi language and how synonyms are meant differently in different environments. Moreover, the study will show what impact can be made of the incorrect usage of synonyms on communication in the Hindi language, and it will allow for more consideration on teaching process in enhancing vocabulary of students.Item Bilingualism and language pollution: A study on the impact of practicing mixed English in communication(Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Ihalagama, H.A.S.The majority of Sinhalese people use their mother tongue as the main vehicle of communication, but there is a growing trend of mixing English terms with Sinhala terms in communication activities. It is due to English becoming a major linguistic force in Sri Lanka for various reasons such as its colonial heritage, impact of globalization, new technologies of communication, growing up in international schools, increasing number of Sri Lankans working overseas and predilection for using English by many urban occupants. As a result of this, Sinhala speaking society has become a Sinhala-English bilingual society. When people use English to the detriment of their first language, then the situation appears to be discomfited and linguistically unproductive. The present study is to examine the patterns of mixed English use in day to day communication and how it affects the contamination of Sinhala language. Data and information for this study are collected from a sample of 30 bilingual and employed individuals in public and private sectors and some advertisements in printed and electronic media and name boards of commercial places. Based on the findings it can be concluded that, practicing mixed English in communication activities, influence Sinhala speakers to imitate such bilingual variations and it will lead to pollution and unsustainability of Sinhala language which is a precious cultural asset of Sinhala community.Item Social discrimination through language: A study on the discriminative usage of Sinhala(Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Premaratna, C.D.H.M.Language is a medium of human communication and it is used for different purposes. One of them is discrimination. Language discrimination refers to an unfair treatment through language found in any society. This may be categorized into several concepts such as ethnic discrimination, political discrimination, religious discrimination or environmental discrimination. It is manipulated in the style of speech, such as accent, lexicon or syntax, used by an individual and does not include discrimination based on individual’s appearance. This situation can be seen in all human languages. Sri Lanka is a multilingual (Sinhala, Tamil, English), multiethnic (Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim), and multi-religions (Buddhist, Hindus, Slam) country. Sri Lanka was also governed by the European (Portuguese, Dutch, English) rulers since 17 th century to middle of the 20 th century. As a result of that Sinhalese culture has undergone many changes. This social environment is reflected on Discriminative lexicon of Sinhala language. The aim of this study is to examine the present condition of the Sinhala Discriminative Lexicon and to see how that affects society, culture environment and politics. This problem is examined under the sociolinguistic theory and data have been collected through the day today conversation of the Sinhala speakers. It is found that Sinhala speakers use discriminative language referring to some social groups or individuals in different contexts.