description Ferdinand Kittel Overview
Ferdinand Kittel was a 19th-century German missionary and lexicographer associated with the Basel Mission in the Karnataka region of India. He dedicated decades to studying the Kannada language, resulting in the publication of his comprehensive Kannada-English dictionary in 1894. The dictionary, which contained over 70,000 entries, remains a highly respected reference work for linguists and Kannada scholars today.
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Who was Ferdinand Kittel?
Ferdinand Kittel was a German Lutheran priest and Indologist who worked with the Basel Mission in southern India. His work took him to places including Mangalore, Madikeri and Dharwad in Karnataka.
When did Ferdinand Kittel publish his Kannada-English dictionary?
Kittel's major Kannada-English dictionary was published in 1894. It contains roughly 70,000 words and remains a major reference in the history of Kannada lexicography.
Why is Kittel's dictionary important for Kannada?
Kittel spent decades studying Kannada rather than treating it as a minor translation language. The 1894 dictionary documents a large body of Kannada vocabulary and helped establish systematic Kannada-English reference work.
Did Ferdinand Kittel write anything besides the dictionary?
Yes. He composed Kannada poems and was also involved in work connected with revising the Kannada Bible.
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