Question

Read the source given below and answer the questions that follow:

A language with an enormous range Al-Biruni described Sanskrit as follows: If you want to conquer this difficulty (i.e. to learn Sanskrit), you will not find it easy, because the language is of an enormous range, both in words and inflections, something like the Arabic, calling one and the same thing by various names, both original and derivative and using one and the same word for a variety of subjects, which, in order to be properly understood, must be distinguished from each other by various qualifying epithets.

1. What motivated Al-Biruni to study Sanskrit?
2. How did Al-Biruni's observations about Sanskrit contribute to cross cultural understanding?
3. In what ways Al-Biruni compare Sanskrit to Arabic?

Answer 1

1. Al-Biruni spent years with Brahmana priests and academics, who inspired him to learn Sanskrit because of his fascination with India. He had to acquire Sanskrit in order to comprehend Indian literature, which he also wished to read and study.
2. Al-Biruni's insights into Sanskrit helped people who were unfamiliar with the language appreciate its richness and complexity, which promoted intercultural understanding. His explanation helped close the language and cultural divide between researchers who speak Arabic and those from the Indian subcontinent by illuminating the nuances of Sanskrit's vocabulary, syntax, and usage.
3. Al-Biruni noted similarities in the linguistic patterns and difficulties of Arabic and Sanskrit. He emphasized how both languages used a variety of names and derivatives to represent the same object, comparing the wide variety of terms and inflections in Arabic and Sanskrit. Furthermore, Al-Biruni noted that in both Arabic and Sanskrit, a single term might refer to several things, hence qualifying epithets are required for correct understanding. Al-Biruni promoted mutual understanding and admiration between the two language systems by highlighting similarities in linguistic traits and difficulties between Sanskrit and Arabic.