Towards a Definition of Local Orthographies of Bon Manuscripts: A Pilot Study

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Abstract

Tibetan manuscripts in general, and Bon manuscripts in particular, are often characterised by orthographic inconsistencies and multiple contracted forms (Tib. bsdus tshig or bskungs yig). While these features may be a nuisance to the reader, they deserve to be analysed more systematically: it is possible that these heterodox spellings and other scribal peculiarities, far from being random errors, may represent local writing conventions. On the basis of an extended study of facsimile reproductions of Bon manuscripts from Bsam gling monastery in Dolpo, Nepal, this chapter aims to explore the best way forward towards defining local orthographic styles and other codicological features. A major starting hypothesis to be tested is that ‘heterographies’ may help us to detect oral and written modes of transmission.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBon and Naxi Manuscripts
EditorsAgnieszka Helman-Ważny, Charles Ramble
Place of PublicationBerlin
PublisherDe Gruyter
Chapter1
Pages147-167
Number of pages21
ISBN (Electronic)9783110776478
ISBN (Print)9783110776089
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Publication series

NameStudies in Manuscript Cultures
PublisherDe Gruyter
Volume28
ISSN (Print)2365-9696
ISSN (Electronic)2365-970X

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