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Department of Sanskrit Studies

University of Hyderabad
Hyderabad, India
UoH logo

Department of Sanskrit Studies

University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India

IoE logo

Samsādhanī – Praveśikā:
Learning Sanskrit using Computational Tools
(Online Certificate Course)

Samsādhanī – Praveśikā:
Learning Sanskrit using Computational Tools
(Online Certificate Course)

Background

Sanskrit, the ancient Indian classical language, has huge repository of texts covering wide-ranging genres including philosophy, linguistics, religion and ritual, law, polity, health science, astronomy, mathematics to very high quality literary masterworks such as the works of Kālidāsa, Daṇḍin, Bāṇa, the great epics Rāmāyaṇa and Mahābhārata.

During the past few years, there is an emerging trend among the Indians to learn Sanskrit so as to read and understand the original Sanskrit texts. Taking into account the complexity involved in the word-formation in Sanskrit, the euphonic changes due to the influence of oral tradition, and the tendency to use long compound expressions, it is found that the pedagogical teaching methods in the school and colleges do not provide enough training to read and understand Sanskrit literature dealing with scientific texts or those of high literary value unless one undergoes rigorous learning of Sanskrit grammar. Hence there is a huge demand, especially from the professionals at all stages of their career, to study Sanskrit so that they can access the original Sanskrit texts.

Aim and Methodology

The main goal of this course is to teach how to access Sanskrit literature using online computational tools. The focus would be on understanding the Sanskrit texts rather than just learning the grammar or the vocabulary.

In this course, we introduce a novel method of learning Sanskrit, with the help of online computational tools developed by the Department of Sanskrit Studies of University of Hyderabad and at Inria, France.

This method, while minimizes the memorisation component, revives the traditional old methods of Khaṇdānvaya and Daṇḍānvaya of learning Sanskrit verses practised in the Gurukulas. The computational tools include the word level analyser and generator, segmenter and sandhi joiner and a sentence level analyser. These tools are linked with the online bilingual and monolingual dictionaries. These dictionaries provide easy access to the word meanings in three different languages: Hindi, English and French. A small component of project work at the end gives a hands-on practice to read and understand the original Sanskrit texts with the help of the computational tools.

The course would be taught in hybrid mode using both asynchronous and synchronous teaching. The students would be encouraged to use the online computational tools. There will be ample discussion and doubt clearing sessions at the end of each module.

Objectives

Course Outline

Evaluation

There would be 4 minor examinations of 20 marks each after the completion of each module. 20 marks would be reserved for the final project work.

Faculty

Salient Features

This course is unique in many respects.

Nature of the Course

Credits 4
Mode Online (Pre recorded videos)
Medium English
Discussion/Interactive Sessions Saturday or Sunday (The timings will be decided taking into account the time zones of the participants)
Duration 17.01.2024 - 14.06.2024

Eligibility

Fee Structure

Important Dates

Application Window 15th Dec 2024 - 5th Jan 2024
Selection Intimation 8th Jan 2024
Admission Window 9th Jan 2024 - 22nd Jan 2024
Course Commencement 17th Jan 2024

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