HISTORY OF TAMIL LEXICOGRAPHY
PART I HISTORY OF LEXICON IN TAMIL
When we speak of the “Art of Dictionary’ we may wonder whether there is such an art. Yes, it isan art and another wonder of it is, the age of Lexicography in Tamil {s more than three thousand years !
The art of dictionary (4a77G4& «%) or Lexicography as we call it in English has developed very much in the European Languages. Similar growth can also be perceived in Tamil Language.
What is a Lexicon? What is Lexicography? What is its history? We must have explanations for these.
What is a Lexicon ?
If the words in a language are arranged alphabetically and meanings are given to them in a book, then it is called a dictionary. For example if we take the following words, La, 1p, 3; sone, (Aani, Arram, Aatu, Annil) the words beginning with ‘4’ (a) the first letter in Tamil like §) pid, 2686 should be placed first and words beginning ‘ with ‘g’ (Aa) the next letter like qo, @ should be placed next. If we look the second letter in ab, soni, the letter ‘axl’ (NNi) comes before the letter ‘p’ (RRA) in the Tamil alphabet. Hence we must have syed before «mtb. So also in the words <a, 0 the letter “@’ (Tu)
