The Sinhalese Etymological Dictionary
By D. B. Jayatilaka
Summary
This review examines a recently published Sinhalese etymological dictionary, assessing its methodology and contributions. The dictionary traces the origins of Sinhalese words through Sanskrit, Pali, Tamil and indigenous roots. The reviewer praises the work for compiling a vast corpus of lexical data and for highlighting Dravidian influences on Sinhalese vocabulary. However, he criticises inconsistencies in the etymologies and the lack of clear criteria for borrowing versus native derivation. The article notes that some Sanskrit loanwords are presented without acknowledging intermediate Prakrit forms and that the treatment of Portuguese and Dutch loanwords is superficial. Despite these shortcomings, the dictionary is recognised as a valuable reference for scholars of Indo‑Aryan languages and Sri Lankan history. The reviewer suggests improvements for future editions, including a more systematic classification of loanwords and a stronger engagement with comparative linguistics.
Conclusion
The article concludes that the Sinhalese etymological dictionary is a commendable yet imperfect effort. It lays a foundation for future lexical studies in Sri Lanka but requires more rigorous methodology to fully illuminate the complex linguistic heritage of Sinhalese.