A Dictionary and Grammar of the Malayan Language

This 1812 study is a history of Malay, as well as a specialised dictionary, and includes analysis of original-language texts.

William Marsden (Author)

9781108055093, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 28 March 2013

898 pages
25.4 x 17.8 x 4.5 cm, 1.53 kg

Published in 1812, this study of Malay in its written form was begun during William Marsden's service with the East India Company in Sumatra (1771–9). He continued his textual work in England upon his return, thus putting his practical knowledge into a solid scholarly frame. An expert in Asian languages and an outstanding Malay scholar in the English-speaking world, Marsden (1754–1836) was a fellow of the Royal Society from 1783 and later its vice-president and treasurer. This work is distinctive for its substantial Malay–English section, and for the use of examples from original Malay texts collected by the author. Despite being superseded by subsequent dictionaries, it is still a highly regarded and valuable source of information, especially about older, specialised and regional terms. The introduction provides the reader with a history of the Malayan language, including its spread, usage and regional variations.

Part I. A Grammar of the Malay Language: Introduction
1. The Malayan alphabet
2. Of consonants and vowels
3. Orthographical marks
4. Division of words
5. Parts of speech
6. Nouns
7. Adjectives
8. Comparison of adjectives
9. Numerals
10. Pronouns
11. Demonstrative or definitive
12. Verbs
13. Verbs substantive
14. Distinctions and relations of the verb
15. Inflexions of the transitive verb
16. Inflexions of the intransitive verb
17. Adverbs or modals
18. Prepositions or directives
19. Conjunctives
20. Interjections or exclamations
21. Particles
22. Of syntax
23. Of dialects
24. Of prosody
25. Praxis
Part II. A Dictionary of the Malay Language: Preface
The Malayan alphabet
Dictionary.

Subject Areas: Linguistics [CF]