General Tamil Grammar: Thinai, Paal, Idam, and Grammatical Nuances

Classification of Beings (Iruthinai)

In Tamil grammar, beings and objects are classified into two primary categories known as Iruthinai. These classifications are essential for maintaining grammatical consistency in sentences. The first category is Uyarthinai, which refers to human beings who possess the sixth sense (six-fold intelligence). The second category is Akhrinai (also referred to as Altinai), which encompasses all other living organisms and non-living objects.

The Five Categories of Gender and Class (Aimpaal)

The term Paal refers to a sub-division or a specific classification of a Thinai. There are five types of Paal in total. These are further divided based on whether the subject belongs to the Uyarthinai or Akhrinai category.

Within Uyarthinai, there are three distinct divisions. The first is Aanpaal, which represents the masculine gender; examples include names and titles like Veeran, Annan, and Marudhan. The second is Penpaal, representing the feminine gender; examples include Magal, Kannagi, and Thalaivi. The third is Palarpaal, which refers to a group or plurality of people; examples include Makkal (people), Pengal (women), and Aan-gal (men).

Within Akhrinai, there are two distinct divisions. The first is Ondranpaal, which refers to a single animal, bird, or object; examples include Yaanai (elephant), Pura (pigeon), and Malai (mountain). The second is Palavinpaal, which refers to a plurality of animals or objects; examples include Pasukkal (cows) and Malaigal (mountains).

The Three Places (Moovidam)

Tamil grammar identifies three distinct 'places' or perspectives for speakers and subjects, referred to as Moovidam. These are classified into Thanmai (First Person), Munnilai (Second Person), and Padarkkai (Third Person). These classifications apply to both nouns (names) and verbs (actions).

Thanmai (First Person) refers to the speaker. Examples of Thanmai names include Naan, Yann, Naam, and Yaam. Examples of Thanmai verbs include Vandhen and Vandhom.

Munnilai (Second Person) refers to the person being spoken to. Examples of Munnilai names include Nee, Neer, Neevir, and Neengal. Examples of Munnilai verbs include Nadandhai, Vandheer, and Sendreergal.

Padarkkai (Third Person) refers to someone or something spoken about. Examples of Padarkkai names include Avan, Aval, Avar, Adhu, and Avai. Examples of Padarkkai verbs include Vandhaan, Sendraal, Padithanar, Pesinaargal, Parandhadhu, and Parandhana.

Grammatical Correctness and Errors (Vazhu and Vazhaanilai)

Vazhaanilai refers to the act of speaking or writing according to the established rules of grammar without any errors. Conversely, Vazhu refers to errors or deviations from grammatical rules in speech or writing. There are seven specific areas where these errors typically occur: Thinai (category), Paal (gender/class), Idam (place/person), Kaalam (tense), Vina (question), Vidai (answer), and Marabu (tradition/usage).

If these seven elements are used with grammatical errors in a sentence, it is termed Vazhu. If they are used correctly without errors, it is termed Vazhaanilai.

Comparative Examples of Grammatical Deviations

To understand the difference between Vazhu and Vazhaanilai, consider the following comparative examples across different categories:

In the category of Thinai, the sentence "Chezhiyan vandhadhu" is a Vazhu because it uses an Akhrinai verb ending for a human subject; the correct Vazhaanilai form is "Chezhiyan vandhaan."

In the category of Paal, "Kannagi undaan" is a Vazhu because it uses a masculine verb ending for a feminine subject; the correct Vazhaanilai form is "Kannagi undaal."

In the category of Idam, "Nee vandhen" is a Vazhu because it mixes second-person and first-person forms; the correct Vazhaanilai form is "Nee vandhai."

In the category of Kaalam, "Netru varuvan" is a Vazhu because it uses a future tense verb with a past tense time marker (yesterday); the correct Vazhaanilai form is "Netru vandhaan."

In the category of Vina, showing only one finger and asking "Is this small or large?" is a Vazhu; showing two fingers and asking "Which of these is small and which is large?" is the correct Vazhaanilai.

In the category of Vidai, if someone asks "Where is Kannan?" and the reply is "The mirror is inside the bag," it is a Vazhu; if the reply is "Kannan is inside the house," it is the correct Vazhaanilai.

In the category of Marabu, referring to a group of coconut trees as "Thennanthottam" is a Vazhu; the traditional and correct grammatical term is "Thennanthoppu."

Acceptable Grammatical Deviations (Vazhuvamaidhi)

Vazhuvamaidhi refers to instances where a sentence may be grammatically incorrect according to strict rules, but it is accepted as correct by grammarians for specific reasons, such as emotional expression or certainty.

  1. Thinai Vazhuvamaidhi: This occurs when someone addresses an animal as a human. For example, a person looking at their cow and saying "My mother has come" (En ammai vandhaal). Although a cow is Akhrinai, it is treated as Uyarthinai due to the speaker's joy and affection.

  2. Paal Vazhuvamaidhi: This occurs when gender is switched for emotional reasons. For example, a mother calling her daughter "Vada Raasa" (Come, my King) or "Vada Kanna." Despite the daughter being female, the masculine address is accepted due to the mother's love.

  3. Idam Vazhuvamaidhi: This occurs when the speaker refers to themselves in the third person. For example, a person named Maran saying, "This Maran will never tell a lie." Here, the speaker uses the third person (Padarkkai) instead of the first person (Thanmai) to emphasize a point about himself.

  4. Kaalam Vazhuvamaidhi: This occurs when the wrong tense is used to indicate certainty. For example, the sentence "The President arrives in Tamil Nadu tomorrow" (Kudiyarusu thalaivar naalai Thamizhagam varugiraar). Grammatically, it should be "will arrive" (varuvaar), but because the event is confirmed and certain to happen, the present tense is accepted.

  5. Marabu Vazhuvamaidhi: This occurs when traditionally incorrect terms are accepted in specific contexts like poetry. An example is found in Bharathiyar's poetry: "Katthum kuyilosai - satre vandhu kaadhir padavendum." Traditionally, cuckoos are said to "koo" (koovum), and "katthum" (shouting/braying) is incorrect. However, since it is used by a poet in a creative context, it is accepted as Vazhuvamaidhi.

Exercises and Applications

Students are encouraged to identify the types of Vazhuvamaidhi in the following sentences:

  • The Minister arrives for the function tomorrow (Amaichar naalai vizhavirkku varugiraar).
  • "If this Kannan did something, everyone will accept it," he said ("Indha Kannan ondrai seidhaan endraal adhai anaivarum erpar" ena kooraan).
  • In our childhood, we used to tie a swing to this tree and play (Siriya vayadhil indha maratthildhaan oonjal katti vilaiyaaduvom).
  • Selvan Ilavelan has achieved in the field of sports even at this young age (Selvan Ilavelan indha siru vayadhileye vilaiyaattu thuraiyil saadhanai purindhirukkiraar).