viii PREFACE.
gone radical alterations by the elision or insertion of
letters, caused probably, in the first instance by incor-
rect pronunciation: in other cases words are restricted
to local significations, often the reverse of the sense in
which they are generally received. In the Northern
and Southern Extremities of Malayala, the dialects differ
so materially as to make it difficult for the inhabitants
of one part to converse intelligibly with those of the other.
The labours of European Missionaries during the last
twenty years, have doubtless tended to improve this
language; but with the exception of a work entitled Out-
lines of a Grammar of the Malayalim Language, printed
while these Sheets were being prepared for the press;
the only attempt at publishing a Malayalim Grammar
was made, as long since as the year 1799, from notes
presented to the compiler by a Romish Bishop.
That work, which has long been out of print, was
from the nature of the circumstances under which it was
published, necessarily defective, for without detracting
from the merits either of the author or compiler; the
notes, judging from the printed Copy, merely contained
a sketch of Grammar. The first essay, apparently, of a
tyro in the language: and from the statements of the
compiler in the preface; it would appear, that owing to
sickness, the work had to pass through several hands,
some of those employed in it being totally unacquainted
(as the work itself proves) with the Malayalim language.
With reference to the work now submitted, as it is
the first full grammar ever published, it may be expected
that some account should here be given of the principles
upon which it is written, and of the sources from whence
information has been derived.
