Chapter Nine

Word-codes that can deliver hammer blows

Before moving into the history of this peninsular region, let me give a small hint of the hammering power of word-codes delivered when they assault the people.

In the illustrative example given earlier, I had mentioned the social suppression affected when a menial servant in the household of an IAS officer addresses a social senior with a Nee, and refers to him or her with an Avan (Oan) or Aval (Oal). That was just an example.

Speaking in a comparative manner, the Brahman class of the yesteryears can be compared to the higher positions among the current-day government employees. In the same manner, the Nairs of the Malabar and Travancore areas of those times could be compared with the police constables of India. The people who live around them would have to extend obsequious ‘respect’ to them. Beyond that, these Nairs/constables can beat up people and use abusive words on them. They can address the common person with a Nee (Inhi) and use lower grade words of reference such as Avan (Oan), Aval (Oal), Avattakal (Ittingal) etc. They can address or call them with mere name.

Among the Brahmins themselves, there are many levels. There are even groups who are assigned the duty of sweeping the temple and temple yard. In a similar manner, there many levels of employment in the government service also.

As one goes down in the caste-based hierarchy, the hammering power of the degrading words Nee, Eda, Edi, Avan, Aval, Avattakal (In Malabari, the corresponding words are: Inhi, Oan, Oal, Ittingal) is increased manifold in accordance with the number of layers of caste above. The more lower the affected caste, the more number of castes are above. So the hammering power will be more.

At the lower most locations, the word-codes will acquire a terrific hammering power.

It might be possible to see the effect of the hammering on the facial expression and body structure of the person who has been thus hammered.