Non-Finite verbs in Kannada inscriptions

Written forms like inscriptions and literary works are key sources for studying language. Inscriptions include social and regional elements of a specific period, making their linguistic study helpful in understanding the origin, structure, history, and development of Language.

A sentence consists of a subject, object, and verb. The verb at the end of the sentence takes gender and number agreement from the nominal element and becomes a finite verb, providing closure to the sentence. Verbs appearing in the middle of the sentence consist of the verb root and tense markers. They allow expressing one action after another in the sentence and indicate that the sentence is not yet complete. This article studies the structure of these non-finite verbs and their functions in sentences.

Kannada has a large number of inscriptions from around the 5th century CE through the 19th century. Studying these old written records helps trace the language's evolution. With this aim, the present study uses Kannada inscriptions from the 11th and 12th centuries. During this period, dynasties such as the Kalyana Chalukyas, Kalachuris, Hoysalas, Sevunas of Devagiri, Alupas, Rattas, Sindas, Kadambas of Kadarikkallu, and Ahihayas ruled various parts of Karnataka. This era, under multiple royal dynasties, saw significant social changes, whose influence is evident in the language. Studying the language of this period reveals its structure. The current study applies principles of descriptive linguistics.

Non-finite verbs express temporal relations between two actions, as well as negation, condition, and clause-linking functions in sentences. Non-finite verbs appearing in the middle of sentences carry verb root with tense suffix but lack gender-number suffixes.