Komunikasi
Journal of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies
Volume 6 No. 1, 2006
ISSN 0127-8991
Contents/Kandungan
Articles/Artikel
Journalism and Thinking Skills
Azman Azwan Azmawati
1
The Writing on the Wall: Some Observations on Journalism
Education in Malaysia
Mustafa K. Anuar
11
The 'War on Terror' and The Press as a Mechanism on
Reinforcement on the Social Order in Selected Countries
of Southeast Asia
Sonia Ambrosio de Nelson
25
Democracy and the Public Sphere: Consequences of ICT
Policy in Malaysia
Abd Rasid Abd Rahman
45
Communications and the Tamil Language
V. Raman
66
Kepelbagaian Perspektif Boleh Menguatkan Teori-Teori
Komunikasi
Marian Muda
79
Media Dahulu - Media Sekarang
Darussalam Abu Bakar
90
Muzik dan Komunikasi Massa: Satu Kajian Tentang M. Nasir
dan Evolusi Muzik Melayu Moden
Amir Husairi Sharif
106
Forum
Eurocentrism and the Need to Rethink the Teaching of the
Social Sciences
Syed Farid Alatas
124
Research Notes/Nota Penyelidikan
The Relationship Between Information Seeking Behaviors and
Verbal Behaviors
130
Media dan Politik: Satu Analisis Terhadap Pengaruh Televisyen
ke atas Corak Pengundi Pilihanraya Umum Malaysia 1999
139
Kajian Terokaan Tentang Sikap Pencari Maklumat
148
Reviews/Ulasan
169
H H Forum Komunikasi
Communications and the Tamil Language
V. Raman
Introduction
The term mass communication has sometimes been defined in
two ways: communication by the media and communication
for the masses. Mass communication, however, does not mean
communication for everyone. The media tend to select their
audiences; audiences likewise select among and within media.
Communication is the process of communicating; communications
is the technical means used to carry out the process. Communication,
then, is a central fact of human existence and social process.
Communication is the carrier of the social process. It makes
interaction within humankind possible and enables men to be
social beings. On the other hand, communications has a narrower
meaning. It embraces all the technical means of indirect or mediated
communication, from tribal drums, smoke signals and stone tablets
to printing, broadcasting, film and internet. Communication is thus
the carrier of social process, which depends upon the accumulation,
exchange and transmission of knowledge.
Language is one of many forms of human communication.
Language is a form of behaviour, of actions such as speaking
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and reactions of such as understanding what was said. People
communicate not only words but also several methods. Language, if
it is meaningful, has a purpose. Man s use of language, consequently,
varies in thrust. It can be used to sheer information.
Tamil Language
Tamil is among the four oldest languages in the world apart from
Greek, Latin, and Sanskrit. Founder of the language Sage Agasthiya
came down to Earth to spread this beautiful language, on the request
of Lord Shiva. He wrote first Tamil grammar book Agathiyam. It
was the first grammar book written for any language in the world.
Unfortunately, no copy of this book is known to exist now. The
version written by Agasthiya s disciple, Tholkaapiyar, nearly 5000
years ago, still exists, and is accepted as the oldest grammar book
in any language. This book is called Tholkaapiyam, after its author.
Tamil grammar has remained the same, probably for 5000 years,
maybe more. Also, many of the words that were used a long time
ago are still used today, making Tamil a living ancient language.
Tamil is still spoken the same way it was spoken a long time ago.
Any other language can claim that. The other old languages are
called fossil language or dead language.
The Tamil have a long history of achievement; sea travel, city life,
and commerce seem to have developed early among them. Tamil
trade with the ancient Greeks and Romans is verified by literary,
linguistic, and archaeological evidence. The Tamil have the oldest
cultivated Dravidian language, and their rich literary tradition
extends back to the early Christian era.
The history of the Tamil starts well before 2000 Years. There are
epigraphical evidences to these assertions. The history has also been
documented in the works and poems of Tamil writers. The Chera,
Chola, Pandy a, and Pallava dynasties ruled over the Tamil area before
the Vijayanagar empire extended its hegemony in the 14th century,
and these earlier dynasties produced many great kingdoms. Under
them the Tamil people built great temples, irrigation tanks, dams,
and roads, and they played an important role in the transmission
of Indian culture to Southeast Asia. The Chola, for example, were
known for their naval power and brought the Malay kingdom of
Sri Vijaya under their suzerainty in AD 1025. Though the Tamil
area was integrated culturally with the rest of India for a long time,
politically it was for most of the time a separate entity until the
advent of British rule in India.
Tamil speakers make up the majority of the population of Tamil
Nadu state in India and also inhabit parts of other states of India.
Emigrant Tamil found in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar
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67
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(Burma), Indochina, Thailand, eastern Africa, South Africa, the Fiji,
Mauritius islands, the West Indies and other countries also.
Communications and Tamil
Tamil is the oldest living language. The evolution of Tamil shows
the communications of Tamil is one of the reasons for maintaining
the living language status. There are various communications used
to convey the message. Each system has own significant features.
Some of the old systems are still valid and many people are following
it.
Murasu
Murasu is a kind of drum, which is made of wood and animal
leather. Murasukol, which are small two wooden sticks, are to
play the dram. Murasu is the main communication system in the
early Tamil king s period. For royal proclamations they used this
communication system. Murasukkaran, a person who communicate
king s announcement, play this drum in the main streets of their
country to convey the king s messages to all people. (Appendix 1)
Therukkuutthu
Therukkuutthu, a street drama, is to convey the group s opinion
to others and still peoples are following this communications in
India to convey their messages to public. Therukkuutthu is not only
to entertain the public and it also used to spread their messages
to public. In early period they used this system to spread cultural
customs and religion information to all. They played epics and other
literature stories in streets. Because of this communication system
some of the literature poems are saved.
Inscription
According to Professor M. Varadarajan, vattezuttu was nothing but
the scripts inscribed on stones. They had been known as vettezuttu
or letters inscribed on stones. But in course of time and by usage it
was transformed into vattezuttu. In early period the king s wrote in
stones. They wrote all the important information of their government
in stones. Apart from that all temple information and temple related
activities they wrote in stones. Now the archaeologist s reveals lot
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of information s through this type of stone messages. (Appendix 2)
Panai Olai
Panai olai (Palm leaf) is the main writing material for more than
2000 years until the invention of paper and print. All the poets wrote
their poems in panai olai and they maintained well to preserve their
products.
Palm leaf manuscripts are produced from two main types of palms:
palmyra and talipot. The palmyra leaf is rather thick and inflexible
and inclined toward brittleness over time. The talipot is thinner and
more flexible and has excellent durability, reportedly lasting as long
as 600 years. Palm leaves are plicate (that is, have parallel folds)
and segmented, with a central rib. The hard yet flexible flaps on
either side of the rib yield the material that is prepared by drying
and polishing for writing or painting or for incising characters with
a metal stylus. Incised writing is made visible by applying a mixture
of lampblack, bean plant or berry juice, and aromatic oil. The oils
used have included camphor, citronella, castor, lemongrass, cedar
wood, mustard, neem, eucalyptus, clove, and sesame. They are
chosen for their insect repellent qualities.
Each "book" or bundle of leaves, is usually fastened together with
braided cords threaded through two holes pierced through the entire
manuscript about 4 centimetres from each end or by the insertion of
bamboo splints. The resultant "binding" is finished by the addition
of heavy wooden covers at the front and back, also tied by the
braided cords or wrapped with webbing or a textile cloth.
In 19th century, thamil thaaththaa (Grandfather of Tamil) U.VE.
Saaminathaiyar collected number of palm leaf books and printed in
paper. Because of him only the Tamil world got lot of its treasure.
Numbers of books are spoiled because of various reasons. Still
various universities and libraries are preserving Tamil palm leaf
books. (Appendix 3)
Pigeon
Pigeon is the main secret mail system in king s period. They selected
certain type of pigeon s and gave well training to that pigeons. They
tide their messages in pigeon s leg. Pigeons reached the destination
on time. Until reach the destination pigeons wouldn t take food or
water. It is vary fast and reliable mail system in that time otherwise
the oppositions attacked the bird. Normally they used pigeons for
sending secret messages. Still in India the people giving training to
pigeons and conducting mail sending competitions.
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Horse Rider System
Horse rider system is the main mail system in king s period.
Kings send all mails to other kings through these horse riders,
called thoothan (messenger). But according to important of mail
or the hierarchy, they changed messenger. Some times chief of the
army carried the message. Some times the senate poets are served as
messengers. Messengers are treated as equal to the king.
Aaraychi Mani (Justice Bell)
The kings built a bell system in front of their palace to convey
people s problems to the king. Those who wanted justice or solve
the problem, rang the bell to call the king. A King immediately
called his senate to hear and solve public s problems. Because of
one cow, which rang the bell for justice for its calf killed by prince
cart, a Chola king killed his son, the prince. Because of his justice,
he called as Manu neethi Cholan means Royal Justice Cholan.
The king Kattabomman used this type of bell as other type of
communications. Lord Thiruchendur Murugan temple situated
few hundred kilometres away from his palace. After the pooja
performance for lord in that temple only he took his food. To know
pooja timings he built mani mandapam (Bell house) in every
kilometre. In relay method they bang the bell. After hearing the bell
sound only he took his food and went to his senate.
Communications in Tamil Literature
Tamil literature has explored all communications significant
through its well rich poems.
Thirukkural
In Thirukkural, Thiruvalluvar gave qualifications for messenger.
Still it is valid rules to select the right messenger. Thirukkural,
also known as the kuRaL a Tamil book on philosophy and life
in general, was written by Thiruvalluvar, a sage and philosopher,
about 2000 years ago. It is one of the greatest and most succinct
books ever written, by popular and critical opinion. After Bible, the
Thirukkural is the book which has been translated into the most
number of languages. The crown jewel of Tamil Literature is
thirukkural are a collection of 1330 couplets, divided into three
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sections. kuRaL can be viewed as a code of ethics, that is secular
in nature
In this book, he explained the qualification of messenger in 10
couplets.
681. The qualifications of an ambassador are affection (for his
relations), a fitting birth, and the possession of attributes pleasing to
royalty.
682. Love (to his sovereign,) knowledge (of his affairs), a
discriminating power of speech (before other sovereigns) are the
three sine qua non qualifications of an ambassador.
683. To be powerful in polities among those who are learned (in
ethics) is the character of him who speaks lance—bearing kings on
matters of triumph (to his own sovereign).
684. He may go on a mission to foreign rulers) who has combined
in him all these three, viz., (natural) sense, an attractive bearing and
well-tried learning.
685. He is an ambassador who (in the presence of foreign rulers)
speaks briefly, avoids harshness, talks so as to make them smile, and
thus brings good (to his own sovereign).
686. He is an ambassador who having studied (politics), talks
impressively, is not afraid of angry looks, and knows (to employ)
the art suited to the time.
687. He is chief (among ambassadors) who understands t proper
decorum (before foreign princes), seeks the (proper) occasion,
knows the (most suitable) place, and delivers his message after
(due) consideration.
688. The qualifications of him who faithfully delivers his
(sovereign s) message are purity, the support (of foreign ministers),
and boldness, with truthfulness in addition to the (aforesaid) three.
689. He alone is fit to communicate (his sovereign s) reply, who
possesses the firmness not to utter even inadvertently what may
reflect discredit (on the latter).
690. He is the ambassador who fearlessly seeks his sovereign s good
though it should cost him his life (to deliver his message).
Thanipaadal (Individual Poems)
One individual Tamil poem explains the method to select the right
messenger.
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Thaathithuu thoothiithu thaththaiththuu thoothaathu
Thuuthithuu thoththiththa thuuthathee - thaathoththa
Thuththithath thaathee thuthiththuththeeth thoththathiithu
Thiththiththa thoomith thithi.
The situation of poem is a girl is waiting for her lover. That time
girls mother arranging some prayer function in their house. Girl
wants to invite her lover. Without any solutions, she sings this
song. "If I sent a servant as my messenger she may spread my love
message to others. Hence, these types of messengers are danger to
maintain secret. If I send parrot as my messenger, it always repeat
the same thing and it wouldn t convey the exact message. If I send
my friend as messenger, without knowing the importance she may
pass the days. My Prayers also not giving immediate result. Because
of my lovers thinking my body is also suffering. Therefore, every
time I am repeating my lover s name".
The Epic Ramayana
In epic Ramayana, the Hanuman, a monkey- son of Suriyan
(Sun), went to Ilangai (Sri Lanka) as a messenger of Lord Rama.
There, Ravana, the king of Ilangai, didn t give seat to the messenger
Hanuman, in his senate and ill treated him. Apart from that he rolled
oil cloth and set the fire in his tail. Because of this ill treatment the
messenger Hanuman got angry and he burnt Ilangai city. Kambar,
author of Kambaramayanam, described this situation elaborately in
his book.
The Epic Mahabharata
The epic Mahabharata, the Lord Krishna went as a messenger
for Pandavars to Kowravars for return the Pandavars kingdom.
But Kowravars refused to return their kingdom. Krishna asked 5
cities, they refused. Then he asked 5 villages and then 5 houses.
Kowravars repeated the same answer. Because of this failure talk
the Kurushetra war started. The messenger Lord Krishna supported
Pandavars and they won the war and killed all the Kowravars.
Other messengers
Apart from the real messengers, poets sent clouds (Megam vidu
thoothu), Tamil language (Tamil vidu thoothu), birds (narai vidu
thoothu) etc., as their messengers in their poems. All the poems
have own literature values.
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Print
In the very first book-ever printed in Tamil characters at
Ambalakadu on the Malabar coast. This booklet was printed on
1577 and with 6 pages booklet called, "Kirithuvaupatheesam",
Tamil became the first Indian and Ceylonese language in which
books were printed. But now printed Tamil books crossed millions
in numbers.
Film
First Tamil talkie film released on 31st October 1931 at Madras
Kinima Central theatre and produced by Imperial Movie Tone
Company. Now Tamil cinema crossed 10000 mark and became
one of the largest productions in the world. The interesting factor
in Tamil cinema is the Hollywood pictures wants to get Tamil box
office. Hence, first the Hollywood producers issued pamphlet about
their film and then they added Tamil commentary before their
movies. But people refused because of their illiterate nature. Finally
according to experts advice now they are dubbing all the Hollywood
movies into Tamil. Now they entered in Tamil box office. Now even
James bond speaking Tamil in India.
Television
First Tamil television station started at Madras on 15th august
1975. Now Tamil television stations mark crossed 100 in late
90 s. In number of countries 24 hours Tamil satellite channels are
entertaining Tamils continuously.
Computer and Internet
For every language more than one computer usable fonts have been
developed. The status of affairs with the use of Tamil in computing
is also highly considerable with this fact. In the late 70 s there were
several DOS based programmes with which could type up text in
Tamil script like Thiru . At that time some programmers developed
better fonts on MAC machines. There were few dedicated Tamil
word processors for PC machines like Bharathi. With the arrival
of Windows 3.1 various software experts began designing True type
fonts for the Windows operating system. It became possible to use
these fonts with powerful standard word processors like MS Word
or Word Perfect. A programmer didn t have to waste his time in
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73
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creating a dedicated word processor.
The arrival of the Windows 95 operating system made it possible
to design more versatile and easy to use fonts and programmes. After
the arrival of this sophisticated OS system a number of software
makers produced various fonts and encoding methods for Tamil
computing. Generally, they used upper 128 character locations for
this type of foreign languages and the lower 128 character locations
for Roman fonts (English). So it is possible to switch between
English and Tamil in the same sentence.
The software makers designed specific encoding methods for
their software. But these methods created a lot of problems to
the consumer making the software very difficult for regular use.
The popular encoding methods in use are Anjal encoding, TSCII
encoding, Thunaivan encoding, Kamban encoding, Idham encoding,
Mylai encoding etc. The Anjal and TSCII encoding methods are
very popular and widely used because both software makers give
this software freely to the consumers. They have a number of own
fonts for various uses. Now the Anjal programme supports various
encoding methods also. But Anjal provides the basic version freely,
although this version is possible to use only in email programmes
and for the use of the internet. The TSCII fonts and programmes
are available freely but it has not been updated for the past few
years. The web page creators use various encoding methods and
fonts for their web pages. So it is creating several problems for the
users. It is necessary to download various fonts and Tamil encoding
programmes to view the web pages.
The Tamilnadu government (which is a state government in India)
decided to standardise the Tamil encoding method. So it appointed
a committee in the late nineties for standardising Tamil computing
encoding method. The committee collected various software samples,
analysed all the samples and consulted with various organisations
and experts for standardising the encoding method. In 1999 the
committee organised an international conference (Tamilnet 99) in
Chennai, India and it announced the standard encoding methods
for Tamil computing. The encoding methods are TAB and TAM.
But these encoding methods support only three types of keyboards.
They are the Typewriter keyboard, the Phonetic keyboard and the
Transliterate keyboard. But most of the consumers are using the
Romanised keyboard which is introduced by Murasu Anjal. Apart
from that the software makers charged heavily for their softwares.
And Microsoft software programmes, which are used regularly
by consumers, do not support these softwares. So both encoding
methods can be said to be very unpopular.
In between this, the internationalisation of computing encoding
method goes to character based encoding standard, Unicode. The
Unicode committee is concentrating on standardising common
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encoding methods globally. The Unicode committee also created a
new Unicode encoding method for Tamil computing.
Unicode allotted 128 locations for Tamil. (U+DB80 - U+OBFF
- 2944 - 3071). Out of these 128 locations they used Uyir (Vowel)
12, Akaram eeriya Mei (Consonant with first vowel) 18, Ayutham
1, link letters (Vowel modifier) 14, Tamil numeral 12 and Grantham
4, totally 61 locations for Tamil encoding method. They reserved 67
locations for future use. (Appendix 3)
Now lot of Tamil web sites and programming changed to Unicode.
Now Tamil is ready for next generation computing.
Mobile Phones
Some companies produced tamil software for the latest MMS
technology mobile phones. Already people using Tamil in their
pager machines. Now Tamil is ready for another new technology.
Note
Tamil is the one of the oldest language and it is proved by strong historical
evidences. Flexibility to change for new media is the real factor to get this
status. Unicode will solve all encoding problems of Tamil and Tamil is
ready for next generation technology. Tami poet Manonmaniam Suntaram
pillai said we are appreciating you (Tamil) because for your ever youth
status . According to this statement Tamil is not only a living language but
it has ever youth status also. We hope Tamil will maintain this status ever.
References
Aranthai Narayanan. 1981. Tamil Cinimavin Kathai (Story of Tamil
Cinema), New Century Book House: Madras
C. Balasubramaniyam.1959. Tamil Ilakkiya Varalaaru (History of
Tamil Literature), Narumalar pathippakam: Madras
M. Varadarajan.1954. Moli Varalaaru (The History of Tamil
Language)* Madras University: Madras, pp. 425~37.
M.V. Ramachandra (V. Raman). 2001. Standardising Tamil
Language Encoding Method; Analysis of Technical Issues*
APAN International conference: Malaysia
Smith, Alfred G. 1966. Communication and Culture, Holt,
Rinehart and Winston: New York.
Forum KomunikasiVo\ume: 6 No. 1 (ISSN 0127-8991)
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Thiruvalluavar. 200BC. Thirukkural.
Unicode, available at; http://www.unicode.org
V. Jothi (Ed.). 1997. Thanipaadal Thirattu, (Individual Poems).
Varthamaanan Pathippakam: Madras
V. Raman teaches at the Faculty of Communication and Media
Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam.
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Appendix 1
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Appendix 2
Murasu 12th century Inscription
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Appendix 3
Palm leaf Notes
Appendix 4
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