From: selvakum@watserv1.uwaterloo.ca (C.R.Selvakumar - Electrical Engineering)
Subject: Re: Rescript the Tamil script?!
Organization: University of Waterloo
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 20:48:01 GMT

In article <1992Nov16.000413.12009@bmw.mayo.edu>, raja@mayo.edu (Raja Muthupillai, BIR Grad Student, Dr. Robb) writes:
> In article 62047@mimsy.umd.edu, jayb@umiacs.umd.edu (Jay Bala) writes:
> >Hi folks,
> >
> >Given that the tamil script has under gone "dramatic" changes, I have a thought:
> >what if tamil scripts are modified to reflect simplicity and something that
> >can be easily used for programing and far more easier to write than any other
> >language out there (like short hand). Yet be able to be intergrated into
> >tamil language over a period of 20 years.
> >
>   The restructuring of Tamil Script is long overdue.  I guess it should be a part
>   of the overall restructuring of Tamil to suit the needs of the modern times and
>   also with an eye towards meeting the demands of future.  I believe we can do this
>   with the help of scholars who have progressive views.  This sure merits a lot of
>   discussion and action, if tamil has to survive.  Remember the words of 
>   Bharathi...
> 
> 	...Mella Thamizh ini sagum.. andha
> 	     Melaik kalaigal puvi thanil Ongum..
> 
>   Thanks for bringing this up..
> 
> Sincerely,
> Raja M.
> 

In my opinion, those who are thinking of reforming Tamil script are out of
touch with reality. The modern-day computer technology makes all those
changes unneceeasary. The EVR reform was just sufficient. The Tamil 'u_karam'
and 'U-karam' are the problematic ones but it is not too great to WARRANT a 
change. Those who are proposing changes should consider the 'hardware
intelligence' available and it would be worthwhile if some of those
bring out IC chips or software-kernals to solve rather than 
these script reforms. 

If we don't use modern technologies to create, and popularize Tamil
the appeal of Tamil might diminish. Bharathi's words were a serious
warning that we should make modern knowledge available in Tamil otherwise,
its appeal will be confined to Sangam Literature, or some such limited purposes.
I think progress of
Tamil-based education is languishing due to political struggles and
schisms. I recently heard that India Today published in Tamil has
surpassed English in Circulation ( I'm open to correction). Most of
us know that Tamil weeklies Kumutham etc. and dailies like Thina Thanthi
etc. are among the top in circulation in India and some in Asia.
These are indications of some significant opportunities available 
for publishing. But good and more valuable publications like 'kalai
kathir' or 'senthamizh chelvi' etc are enjoying circulations only in
few hundreds to a less than 2000. 
Since we have the 
availability of Tamil word-processors etc. it would be quite easy to
compose new works. Thus I would think that those who are proposing
to reform Tamil script might consider contributing books [ if they
wish they can write about the history of scripts in different languages] 
which would be more useful than attempting at reforming Tamil which might
actually make a vast body of literature and works inaccessible to future
generations. The reform might have been a good idea if computer
technology had not advanced to this level at this low price.

Regards
Selva Selvakumar


The growth of English medium schools and their fad-value has done
enormous damage to Tamil-based education.