Ardhamagadhi

/ɑrðəˈmægədhi/ noun

Definition

An ancient literary language of India, primarily used in Buddhist and Jain texts, intermediate between classical Sanskrit and Prakrit.

Etymology

From Sanskrit ardha-magadhi, combining ardha (half) and Magadhi (the Magadha language), literally meaning 'half-Magadhi,' referring to its intermediate position in linguistic evolution.

Kelly Says

This language name literally means 'half-Magadhi,' showing that ancient Indian scholars understood language evolution—they recognized that Ardhamagadhi was a bridge between two parent languages, just like we understand it today.

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