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Item Language, creativity, and correctness: The significance of the guidelines of Sanskrit poetics(Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Upananda Thero, AmbaliyaddeThe richness of any literary genre can be generally measured by following some primary factors i.e. accuracy of the language usage and creativity of the content. Although, there are some work in Sinhala that inspire the writer’s creativity and accuracy of language usage, More rich and strong emphasis on the concept of creativity and the usage of language in literary work can be seen in the works by Sanskrit poetics as well. Therefore, this paper attempts to recognize and emphasize the significance of the guidelines by Sanskrit poetics on language, creativity, and correctness. Some work on Sanskrit poetics i.e. Kāvyālaṅkāra of Bhāmaha (7-8 CE), Kāvyādarśa by Daṅḍin (8 CE), Kāvyamīmāṃsā of Rājaśekhara (13-14 CE) is used as the primary material. As this is a survey of literary theories, the content of above Sanskrit work is critically studied. The theorists of Sanskrit poetics have largely emphasized the significance of language, its correctness, and creativity from diverse perspectives. Bāmaha (7-8 CE) says ‘the desire to compose kāvya should be entertained after learning grammar and the meanings of the words.’ The first step of doing creative literary work is knowing grammar emphasizes the role of language in the creative work. In addition, Bāmaha says ‘never shall be spoken even a word which is faulty and bad’ this implies the scholastic attention on language. The creativity is also have been interpreted by Sanskrit poetics as follows: “rahitā satkavitvena kīdṛśī vāgvidhagdhatā – what is cleverness in speech without the capacity to compose good works.” This interpretation thoroughly emphasizes why one should study language and what are its profits and what should be the aim of learning a language etc. The correctness of the language has been highlighted by Daṇḍin, the author of Kāvyādarśa thus ‘if someone uses a language accurately he will gain utmost wealth and the evil user of language displays his dullness.’ To sum up, by studying these theoretical guidelines of Sanskrit poetics, present discussions of Sinhalese scholars on language, creativity and correctness can be strengthened.Item Ancient Phonetics in India: A Study on the Phonetic Observations of Āranyaka by the Sages in India(Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Upananda Thero, AmbaliyaddeMany scholars of linguistics generally know that the main languages used in early India were Vedic and Sanskrit. Moreover, they know that the study of such languages has supported particularly the investigations of historical and comparative linguistics of the worldduring18th century A.D. This paper attempts to identify the phonetic roots of the Āraṇyaka books composed in post Vedic language by different Sages in 7th century B.C. This study attempts to find out and analyse the early tendency in phonetic study by Indians. Āranyaka, a great literature of later Vedic period or the period before Pāṇinī, provides very interesting hints on phonetics. For example, Aitareya Āraṇyaka (II.2.I) compares the consonant to the night, and vowels to the day. Not only that the Āraṇyakaṣ states that the consonants are the body and the voice its soul (III.2.5). By analysing the evidence of phonetics in Āraṇyaka books using qualitative approach, an important analysis of phonetics of Vedic language can be found out. Besides, the diverse understanding of phonetic elements of the language such as breath, voice and communication etc. by early Indians can be identified. Though we are aware of Pāṇinī, Patañjalī who have emphasised, discovered and developed the phonetics of Sanskrit, the study of pre Pāṇiniyan literature also supports the gradual tendency of phonetic developments in India that became very rich after 3rd century B.C.