Two Peculiar Usages of the particle Kira/Kiri in Apabhramsa
By Herman Tieken
Summary
In this philological study Herman Tieken examines two distinctive uses of the particle kira/kiri in the Apabhramsa language. Building on earlier research into the Sanskrit particle kila by Emeneau and others, the author demonstrates that its Apabhramsa counterpart functions in two main ways. First, it appears as an interrogative marker introducing rhetorical questions that convey incredulity or surprise. Examples from literary texts illustrate how kira frames statements whose intent is to deny or emphasise a proposition rather than solicit information. The second usage involves an intensifying particle attached to adjectives or adverbs to heighten their semantic force. By comparing passages from works such as the Setubandha and the Samdesa-Rasaka, the article shows that the nuance of the particle depends on context and phonological environment. Tieken also discusses possible diachronic development from Sanskrit kila to Apabhramsa kira and notes that such particles contribute to the expressive flexibility of Middle Indo-Aryan dialects. The study thus fills a gap in Apabhramsa grammar and offers material that may inform broader research on the evolution of Indo-Aryan particles.
Conclusion
By identifying and analysing two peculiar uses of kira/kiri in Apabhramsa, the article enhances our understanding of Middle Indo-Aryan grammar. The findings demonstrate how a seemingly minor particle conveys nuanced meaning, reminding linguists that careful examination of small linguistic features can yield valuable insights into language change and usage.