Hinduwi, Dialects of The, and of Central India, Versions in

Hinduwi, Dialects Of The, And Of Central India, Versions In.

The Hinduwi comprehends many dialects, strictly local and provincial, which differ from each other chiefly in the different proportions of Sanscrit, Arabic, or Persian terms entering into their composition. At a very early period translations into these different dialects were executed by the Serampore missionaries, but these translations were not afterwards reprinted; some have been practically discontinued. See Bible of Every Land, page 103.

1. Braj, or Brij-bhasa. This dialect is spoken throughout the province of Agra. In 1811 the Reverend John Chamberlain, then stationed at Agra, commenced a translation of the New Test. in this dialect, and in 1813 he had finished the translation of the gospels. After much delay the New Test. was completed at press in the year 1832.

2. Bughelcundi. This dialect is spoken in a district between the province of Bundelcund and the sources of the Nerbudda River. A translation of the New Test. was commenced in 1814, and was published at Serampore in 1821.

3. Canaj, or Canyacubja. This dialect is spoken in the Doab of the Ganges and Jumuna. A version of the New Test. was commenced in 1815 at Serampore, and completed at press in 1822.

4. Kousulu, or Koshala. This dialect is spoken in the western part of Otude. In 1820 the gospel of Matthew was printed, arid nothing more since.

In addition to the Hinduwi dialects, strictly so called, there are several other Indian dialects, supposed to be corruptions of the general Hinduwi stock:

1. Bikaneera. This dialect is spoken in the province of Bikaneer, north of Marwar. The New Test. was printed at Serampore in 1823.

2. Buttaneer, or Virat. This is spoken in the province of Buttaneer, west of Delhi, and a New Test. printed in 1824 at Serampore is extant in that dialect.

3. Harroti. This dialect is spoken in Harroti, a province west of Bundelcund. A version of the New Test. was printed at Serampore in 1822.

4. Juyapoora. This is spoken in the province of Joipoor, east of Marwar and west of Agra. Only the gospel of Matthew was published at Serampore in 1815.

5. Madrwari. This dialect is spoken in the province of Joipoor, or Marwar, north of Mewar. this dialect the New Test. is extant since 1821.

6. Oodeypoora. This dialect is vernacular in the province of Mewar, or Oodeypoor. Only the gospel of Matthew has been published at Serampore in 1815.

7. Oojein, or Oujjuyuni. This dialect is vernacular in the province of Malwah of Central India. A version of the New Test. was published at Serampore in 1824. (B.P.)