Dear Friends,
Re: RMS note to Vivaravicharam ==============================
freedom = swatantra (in sanskrit); and sudandiram (in tamil)
swatantra and sudandiram also mean the independence of a free country.
These are very old words. Ancient Tamil Kingdoms that were under domination had to pay kappam (tamil) or compulsory gold/valuables, to the superior king for `protection'. Free countries do not pay kappam, and fair nations neither keep people under domination nor collect kappam.
Software licence fees could be equated with kappam. Kings who failed to pay kappam in the past were slaughtered and humbled. Kappam is a tool for slavery. Freedom is so valuable, that its beauty can be seen and appreciated only in the background of the cruel and gloomy darkness of slavery. Choosing non-free software is like voluntarily choosing slavery.
Free software gives the freedom to use, share, and improve. Free software is also `alive' and could be regarded as having life. Under terms of the GPL, they can be freely duplicated, improved and distributed. All free software vie for acceptance, and the fittest survive. Free software is like natural life itself.We cannot duplicate, improve or distribute non-free software, which can therefore be considered lifeless.
Our future hinges on the ability to use high quality software without slavery. The GNU Project conceived by RMS has paved way for enjoying this natural freedom.
So let us call Free software, GNU Swatantra (hindi version) or GNU Sudandiram (tamil version).
GNU could be pronounced as Naya or New in hindi - meaning our new found freedom, and also recognize the contribution of GNU at the same time.
Regards, K. Ramanraj.
Software licence fees could be equated with kappam.
That sounds plausible to me. If "kappam" is Tamil, is there an equivalent Sanskrit term?
So let us call Free software, GNU Swatantra (hindi version) or GNU Sudandiram (tamil version).
Before the FSF India was started, we thought of calling it the Swatantra Software Sabha. But someone argued that the term had been appropriated by right-wing parties. Others disagreed. There was no consensus on using it, so we didn't.
On Sun, Aug 31, 2003 at 10:23:06PM -0400, Richard Stallman wrote:
That sounds plausible to me. If "kappam" is Tamil, is there an equivalent Sanskrit term?
The word Kappam is in Malayalam too. There is another word "Chungam". This also means Kappam (A sort of tax/fees given to a King for protecting the land/people. King/Lords (Nattu Raja) of smaller states gave this to Chakravarti (King of Kingdoms).
Before the FSF India was started, we thought of calling it the Swatantra Software Sabha. But someone argued that the term had been appropriated by right-wing parties. Others disagreed. There was no consensus on using it, so we didn't.
Swatantra Software Sabha - Sounds fine. We have to find an appropriate term for Software also. I read in one magazine a term for Computer - "Ganana Yanthram"
Gananam = Computing Yanthram = Machine
I suggest Ganana Soothram for Software.
Sootram = Technique
Regards
Dileep M. Kumar wrote on Mon, Sep 01, 2003 at 11:00:13AM +0530: ,---- | The word Kappam is in Malayalam too. There is another word | "Chungam". This also means Kappam (A sort of tax/fees given to a King | for protecting the land/people. King/Lords (Nattu Raja) of smaller | states gave this to Chakravarti (King of Kingdoms). `----
Chungam / Kappam et al are derived from Tamil. Malayalam being a tamil + sanskrit derivate is bound to have a lot of things in common with Tamil / sanskrit and hence I think there is no point in trying to find "pure" malayalam words. Especially words like 'sungam' or 'kappam' might all have formed much later in the history of these languages that they could have very well been imported from elsewhere.
,---- | Swatantra Software Sabha - Sounds fine. We have to find an appropriate | term for Software also. I read in one magazine a term for Computer - | "Ganana Yanthram" `----
In tamil the equivalent is 'men porul' (men = soft, porul = thing/ware).. But Ganana Soothram sounds good.
best,
-Suraj
On Sun, Aug 31, 2003 at 10:51:43PM -0700, Suraj wrote:
Malayalam being a tamil + sanskrit derivate is bound to have a lot of things in common with Tamil / sanskrit and hence I think there is no point in trying to find "pure" malayalam words.
Dear Suraj, RMS was asking for the Sanskrit equivalent of Kappam, so I was telling in Malayalam also it is same, "Kappam". I don't know in Sanskrit what is the equivalent word. (is there a word called "Nikuthi" in Sanskrit. It is for Tax in Malayalam. Kappam also is some sort of Tax).
FYI, old Malyalam was derived from Tamil and Sanskrit. But later Thunchathu Ezhuthachan (Father of Malyalam) purified Malayalam a lot.
For eg: "Thanta" is Father as per old Malayalam. But now it is called "Achan" (in Tamil it is Appa). Calling our father "Thanta" is considered as *bad* now. Similary "Thalla" is now "Amma".
Regards
Dileep M. Kumar said on Mon, Sep 01, 2003 at 11:00:13AM +0530,:
That sounds plausible to me. If "kappam" is Tamil, is there an equivalent Sanskrit term?
The word Kappam is in Malayalam too. There is another word "Chungam". This also means Kappam (A sort of tax/fees given to a King
"royalty" in King's English. No pun intended - SeRiOuSlY.
I suggest Ganana Soothram for Software.
Sootram = Technique
Software is not used for 'ganana' (mathematical calculations) alone. Of course, science graduates on the list will have a different opinion; I am speaking of the common perception.
I suggest that the word 'software' be used as it is. English has a large number of foreign words, mostly from indic languages.
Let the indic languages pay 'kappam' to the English language for once, bu adopting an English word.
Richard Stallman said on Sun, Aug 31, 2003 at 10:23:06PM -0400,:
Before the FSF India was started, we thought of calling it the Swatantra Software Sabha.
Sabha translates to 'association', 'group' etc. At the best, a club.
"prathishtasn" would be a better word for 'Foundation'; once again, with sanskrit leanings and universal recognition. In malayalam, it is 'prathishtapanam'.
At least, that is what I used in the Malayalam translation of the GPL; and so far, no body has come up with alternatives.
"Free Software Foundation" is, in the translation, is
"Swatantra Software Prathishtapnam"
Or should it be 'prathishtaan'?
Pronouncing prathishtaan -
pra - like the pr in pride, stress is on the r. thi - like 'the', with 'e' pronounced as the 'i' in 'ink' sh - like 'sh' in 'should' and 'she' ta - stress is on 't', similar to 'ta' in 'tawny' and 'tan', but 't' should sound like an explosion and a long 'a'.
Mahesh T. Pai said on Mon, Sep 01, 2003 at 11:56:09AM +0530,:
"prathishtasn" would be a better word for 'Foundation'; once
^^^^
typo. "parthishtaan"
Mahesh T. Pai said on Mon, Sep 01, 2003 at 02:30:13PM +0530,:
"prathishtasn" would be a better word for 'Foundation'; once
^^^^typo. "parthishtaan"
Sigh!!! I tested positive on a breathalyser!!!
Read : prathishtaan repeat : prathishtaan
No. there is no type now. (hopefully)
Before the FSF India was started, we thought of calling it the Swatantra Software Sabha.
In fact., that is the rigt terminology. It rightly decribes 'Free Software'.
Cheers, Joe
-
Dileep M. Kumar -
Joe Steeve -
Mahesh T. Pai -
Ramanraj K -
Richard Stallman -
Suraj