Non-Native Authors’ Motivations in the Writing of Bengali Grammars in English: Prefatory Texts from Halhed (1778) to David (2015)

Abstract

This paper examines the prefatory texts of Bengali grammars in English authored by non-native writers, spanning from Nathaniel Brassey Halhed (1778) to Anne Boyle David (2015), to evaluate their practical goals and intended outcomes. Of the 21 descriptive and reference grammars identified, 19 were analyzed; 2 were inaccessible to the researcher. Most grammars were influenced by colonial administrative needs and scholarly demands, with missionary perspectives largely restrained. Findings reveal that no grammar explicitly adhered to any specific linguistic theory. However, methodological innovations can be noticed. Early works, such as those by Halhed (1778) and Carey (1801), emphasized Sanskritic influences, whereas later grammars by Forbes, Beames, and Page prioritized practical language-learning applications. More recent contributions, such as Thompson (2012) and David (2015), reflect a shift toward descriptive approaches, incorporating diverse linguistic samples, diglossic varieties, and digital technologies. David’s grammar, developed as part of a project addressing lesser-documented languages, is particularly noteworthy for its digital advancements. The study concludes that non-native grammarians, influenced by diverse socio-political and professional motivations, have made significant contributions to Bengali grammaticography. It therefore encourages native Bengali linguists to build on this foundation and produce grammars in English that cover the full range of the language’s varieties and registers, while incorporating digital technologies for global accessibility.