A Laskari Dictionary(Paperback, Thomas Roebuck, William Carmichael Smyth, George Small)
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About The Book: “A Laskari Dictionary: Or Anglo-Indian Vocabulary of Nautical Terms and Phrases in English and Hindustani” by Thomas Roebuck, first published in 1882, is a comprehensive resource on 19th-century maritime language. The dictionary focuses on the terminology used by Laskaris, Indian sailors serving in the British Navy. It is organized into two sections: English nautical terms with Hindustani equivalents and Hindustani terms with English translations. Additionally, it offers a pronunciation guide for Hindustani words and a brief introduction to the language's grammar. The work captures the linguistic and cultural exchange between British and Indian sailors, documenting the "corrupt jargon" prevalent among Laskaris. This dictionary serves as a valuable tool for understanding the British Navy's history and the cultural interactions during colonial India, providing insights into how language facilitated collaboration in a multicultural maritime setting. About The Author: Thomas Roebuck (1781–1819), a Scottish East India Company officer, was an orientalist and lexicographer. He contributed to English-Hindustani linguistic studies, publishing dictionaries, grammar guides, and cultural works. Roebuck died in Calcutta while serving at Fort William College. William Carmichael Smyth authored A Laskari Dictionary, which documents Anglo-Indian nautical vocabulary, emphasizing terms used by Indian sailors (Laskaris) during the colonial era. Published in 1882, it showcases the linguistic and cultural exchange in maritime contexts. George Small, formerly a missionary in Northern India, later served as a teacher of Oriental languages and a missionary to Asiatics in London. He edited Eastwick's Hindustani Grammar (1858) and authored works like Manual of Hindustani (1859) and The Principles of English Grammar (1862). Small's scholarly contributions advanced the study of Hindustani and English, bridging linguistic and cultural understanding. His dedication to education an