Beschi, grammairien du tamoul, et l'origine de la notion de verbe appellatif

Abstract

English summary Beschi' s importance cannot be overestimated because it seems he was the first to produce a detailed analysis of the grammatical structure of Tamil that could be used in a Western language (Latin). However, a precise assessment of his role is only possible if we relate him with his historical background in Latin grammar. We discover that conceptions about «appellative verbs», deemed to be Beschi's owns by later writers such as Caldwell, have been extrapolated on the basis of non-explicit formulations, his attitude being a compromise between his Latin heritage and his willingness to do justice to Tamil.