Patidarangia Dialect

SYNOPSIS
The problem to be investigated:
The dialect of Palashbari (Palashbaria) and Pati Darrang (Patidarrangia) : A comparative study.
Introduction:
Because of some political, social, cultural and geographical causes, if a particular area with certain language is not communicated in a regular basis, then the language of that area forms regional dialects. The Assamese language which is used and spread in a large area of both the two banks of the Brahmaputra valley also gives birth to various local and regional variations like the dialects found in the southern region of the valley, the dialects of Sivsagar, the dialects of Pati Darrang etc.
In the proposed study, we try to make a comparative study between the dialects of PatiDarang and Palashbari.
Palashbari, a commercially advanced small rural area, is situated in the Southern bank of Brahmaputra in the district of Kamrup. Although, no big industries have been grown till date, Palashbari occupies quite a great significant place in the silk and wood industry of the country. In the reign of the British, there was a port in the river Brahmaputra in Palashbari. It was the only water route through which loads of jute and tea were exported to the then Calcutta (kolkota). Consequently, the place grew up as a centre of commercial activities. However, still there is a special feature in the spoken language of the local people of Palashbari. This speciality is seen in all the four essential characteristics of a language- phonology, morphology, lexicology and syntax.
There are some similarities between the dialect of Pati Darrang and the dialect of Darrang (Darrangia) in Mangaldoi. But a great difference is seen between the dialects of Middle Kamrup and that of the Pati Darrang. In short, there are lots of differences between other Assamese dialects and the dialects of Kamrup (Kamrupia). In tone, mode and vocabulary, a slight variation is seen in each village where the dialect is used.
The geographical distance between Palashbari and Pati Darrang is only approximately 55 kms. But still a great difference is seen in their socio-economic political and cultural life. So here, it is tried to find out the actual truth of our study.
‘Palashbaria’ and ‘Patidarrangia’ , both are the two regional variations of the ‘Kamrupi’ dialect of Assamese language. Dr. Banikanta Kakati also mentions about the dialect of Pati Darrang in his research paper. In the first to twelfth edition of ‘Dakshin kol’ a journal published by a literary meet ‘Palashbari Sahitya Sabha’ a good deal of discussion is done on the socio-cultural and historical life of Palashbari . Aditya Ch. Deka, a research scholar, also prepared a research paper on the dialect of Pati Darrang for the partial fulfillment of his research. In the same way,a lady named Mamun Kalita also obtained M.Phil. degree on ‘Palashbaria dialect’ from Gauhati University. Besides these, a lot of articles and research papers have been published on the dialect of Palashbari.
Although, a lot of such discussions have been done, yet a comparative study of both the dialects has not been done till date. It is expected that such study may help in illuminating the study of Assamese language as a whole. For example, we can show the difference of the three variations in the use of asserted affix in the following way-
Standard Assamese Palashbaria Patidarangia
‘ta’ - ‘tinita’ (three) ‘tinta’ ‘tinte’

In the same way, in the use of words also we observe certain local variations. For example-
Standard Assamese Palashbaria Patidarangia
‘Koka’(grand father) ‘Aata’ ‘Aate’
There is a great scope of unearthing more information regarding such differences.

Objectives of the Research topic:
The study of the regional verities of a language helps in finding out the hidden and actual form of the language as well as the cultural aspects related to the language. In the comparative study of language, similarities and dissimilarities between two languages or among more languages are taken for consideration. The comparative study of the similarities and dissimilarities among the dialects may help to focus on some new aspects of historical, cultural or social importance. The differences, seen among such dialects, their roots and their impact etc help in inaugurating new scopes of study. As, without a thorough study of the regional variations the nature of a language is never known completely, such study may help in contributing to the language regarding its philological and cultural significance. It can be expected that the comparative study of the spoken language of these two regions illuminates the similarities and dissimilarities of Assamese language.
Significance and Relevance of the study:
Assamese language is the backbone of the Assamese community and hence any type of study regarding this language may benefit our culture, language as well as our community. The Assamese people have been coming across many crucial socio-economic, political and religious situations in different points of time. But in all such situations, all the Assamese people, irrespective of their personal, religious and regional identity have been united together by the Assamese language. This is the significance and relevance of the study of the topic. The comparative study of the dialects of the two important places of Assam, Palashbari and Pati Darrang could benefit the Assamese language, the nation and the philologists.
Research Methodology:
Depending on the need of the situation in preparing the research paper, data will be collected through study. Information collecting from both the primary and secondary sources will be analyzed minutely and decision will be taken in a narrative way.
Secondary source may include- different articles scattered in various newspapers and journals, souvenirs, books from libraries etc.
Proper importance will be given in collecting useful data after doing field study in both the places i.e. Palashbari and Pati Darrang. Questionnaires will be prepared according to the need of the time. Reporters of various newspapers, well-known litterateurs of that place etc will also be approached for cooperation. Electronic equipments like tape recorder, camera, computer etc will also be used for recording conversation, discussion, folk music, song etc and photograph of natural environment of the locality and community buildings, Mosks and Temples etc will be taken.
Division of Chapters:
For the smooth running of the study, the following Chapters are considered to be followed in doing the research and preparing the research paper.
Introduction
Chapter I
1.1 : The Dialects of Assamese Language
1.2 : The Geographical Position of ‘Palashbaria’ and ‘Patidarrangia’ Dialects.
1.3 : Historical Perspectives of the Dialects of Palashbari (Palashbaria) and Pati Darrang (Patidarrangia).
Chapter II : ‘Palashbaria Dialect’-the Dialect of Palashbari
2.1 : Phonology
2.2 : Morphology
2.3 : Lexicology
2.4 : Syntax
Chapter III: ‘Patidarrangia Dialect’- the Dialect of Pati Darrang
3.1 : Phonology
3.2 : Morphology
3.3 : Lexicology
3.4 : Syntax
Chapter IV: A Comparative Study of the Dialects of Palashbari( Palashbaria) and that of Pati Darrang (Patidarrangia).
4.1 : A comparison of Phonology between the two dialects
4.2 : A comparison of Morphology between the two dialects
4.3 : A comparison of Lexicology between the two dialects
4.4 : A comparison of Syntax between the two dialects
Chapter V: The Phrases, Idioms, Maxims and Proverbs of ‘Palashbaria’ and ‘Patidarrangia’ Dialects.
Chapter VI: Conclusion
Bibliography
Appendix: A Sample of the folk literature of ‘Palashbaria Dialect’ and ‘Patidarrangia Dialect’.
First Chapter:
The Dialects of Assamese Language:
Dialect is the regional or local variation of a language. ‘Geographical location of a place plays a major role in the formation and growth of a language of that area. Regional variations and dialects are formed among the people of the same language group because of large geographical area, large population etc. Some social factors are also responsible for it. If we observe the society staying within a large geographical boundary, it is seen that there are different types of social structures existed within it. Therefore, different social structures within the same boundary may also lead to form dialects or local variation. And so,dissimilarities are seen in tone, mode, accent etc. In such way, according to different region, different society and locality, local variation is formed on the basis of the root standard language and such regional or local variation is called dialect.’(Baruah 2007: 35)
The dialects of Assamese language are- Kamrupi and Goalporia. The local variation of the Kamrupi dialect opens up new scope of discussion for the philologists. For the sake of easy discussion and analysis, different scholars have divided the Kamrupi diaect in different ways. Such discussion may contribute a lot in the general study of the Assamese language.
Palashbari: A Historical Perspective:
Renown historian Benudhar Sarmah says that the name Palashbari was existed in the regime of King Rudra Singha. This document plays a very significant role in searching for the history of the place. King Rudra Singha had been reigning since 1696 to 1714. On the other hand, it is known that the British also mentioned the name Palashbari in their documents in between 1792 to 1886. Therefore, the year 1792 can be taken for granted as an important point to find out the history of Palashbari. The analysis of the genealogical tree of Sibananda Goswami also reveals that in around 1545 Palashbari and Shyamrai ‘Satra’ existed. So, today in 21st century, we can conclude that Palashbari does possess a glorious historical background of more than 450 years or so. Barnadi is a southern tributary of Brahmaputra and its bank was once known as Pati Darrang. In the reign of the first Darrangi King Bolinarayana alias Dharmanarayana,the time when the Mughal ruled, the lower Assam was divided into 24 divisions for the smooth running of the administration. Out of these, the eastern and western regions adjoining to the boundary line of Kamrup and Darrang respectively, formed Pati Darrang. According to the history, Pati Darrang division was formed by uniting the villages of both the banks of the tributary Barnadi. And today there is PatiDarrang, stands significantly in the North-Eastern boundary of Kamrup and in the left bank of Barnadi.
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Bibliography: Appendix: A Sample of the folk literature of ‘Palashbaria Dialect’ and ‘Patidarrangia Dialect’. First Chapter: The Dialects of Assamese Language: Dialect is the regional or local variation of a language. ‘Geographical location of a place plays a major role in the formation and growth of a language of that area. Regional variations and dialects are formed among the people of the same language group because of large geographical area, large population etc. Some social factors are also responsible for it. If we observe the society staying within a large geographical boundary, it is seen that there are different types of social structures existed within it. Therefore, different social structures within the same boundary may also lead to form dialects or local variation. And so,dissimilarities are seen in tone, mode, accent etc. In such way, according to different region, different society and locality, local variation is formed on the basis of the root standard language and such regional or local variation is called dialect.’(Baruah 2007: 35) The dialects of Assamese language are- Kamrupi and Goalporia. The local variation of the Kamrupi dialect opens up new scope of discussion for the philologists. For the sake of easy discussion and analysis, different scholars have divided the Kamrupi diaect in different ways. Such discussion may contribute a lot in the general study of the Assamese language. Palashbari: A Historical Perspective: Renown historian Benudhar Sarmah says that the name Palashbari was existed in the regime of King Rudra Singha. This document plays a very significant role in searching for the history of the place. King Rudra Singha had been reigning since 1696 to 1714. On the other hand, it is known that the British also mentioned the name Palashbari in their documents in between 1792 to 1886. Therefore, the year 1792 can be taken for granted as an important point to find out the history of Palashbari. The analysis of the genealogical tree of Sibananda Goswami also reveals that in around 1545 Palashbari and Shyamrai ‘Satra’ existed. So, today in 21st century, we can conclude that Palashbari does possess a glorious historical background of more than 450 years or so. Barnadi is a southern tributary of Brahmaputra and its bank was once known as Pati Darrang. In the reign of the first Darrangi King Bolinarayana alias Dharmanarayana,the time when the Mughal ruled, the lower Assam was divided into 24 divisions for the smooth running of the administration. Out of these, the eastern and western regions adjoining to the boundary line of Kamrup and Darrang respectively, formed Pati Darrang. According to the history, Pati Darrang division was formed by uniting the villages of both the banks of the tributary Barnadi. And today there is PatiDarrang, stands significantly in the North-Eastern boundary of Kamrup and in the left bank of Barnadi. ******************************************************************