2nd Thomas Burke Symposium - call for participation
Bijoy Misra
INDIA DISCOVERY CENTER
The Second Thomas C Burke Memorial Symposium on
Language, Grammar, Prosody and Music
PANINI AND GRAMMAR
Dates – May 9, 10, 2026, 10 AM to 1 PM (US EST), Remote via Zoom
CALL FOR PARTICIPATION - II
We have the pleasure of announcing the Second Thomas C. Burke Memorial Symposium to be held May 9 and 10, 2026, virtually via Zoom, each day from 9 AM to 1 PM US East Coast Time. Our topic this year is Panini and Grammar. The subtopics are suggested below. Selected papers for inclusion in the proceedings will be offered an honorarium of $50 each. You can download the Proceedings of the First Thomas C. Burke Memorial Symposium, held last year, for free at https://www.indiadiscoverycenter.org/bookdownload.html
The Vedas and the Oral Grammar: The Vedas record human expression in syllables. We call them revelations because of their unique style and deep insight. We seek an analysis of oral languages to locate any biological grammar in speech. Are number, gender, and tense parts of the brain’s cognition, or are they pure linguistic expressions? Panini compiles scores of suffixes used in syllable stems to create new pointers to physical objects and events. We look for any scientific finding in these suffixes.
Paninian Verbs: Panini derives verbs from the sets of similar-sounding words. The assumption is that the words are formed in the brain that represent objects in the outside world. Panini and other grammarians suggest that the verbs make the foundation (root, धातु) on which the word is built. We seek analytic work connecting the verb to the object. Classification of the verbs as generalized object spaces can be attempted. The conjugation of a verb to its classification in generalized object space should be analyzed.
Grammar and Mathematics: Panini’s grammar compilation has become a textbook example of modern set theory. Grouping, subgroupings, tags, identities, substitutions, and group generalizations are among the techniques employed in composing the aṣṭādhyāyī अष्टाध्यायी. Modern grammarians, like Noam Chomsky, have used functional algorithms of clauses to create a sequence of iterations. There is a suggestion that computations happen in the brain. We seek contributions on applications of mathematics in grammar.
Word Etymology: Dictionaries compile word etymologies signifying the development and distortion of sounds from sound primitives among different peoples (regions) on the earth. We seek to analyze the neuro-physics of word origin in speech and the associated distortions of words in popular literature. Is there a human melody that influences acoustic transmission? Is word representation an acoustic map in musical signatures? We seek analysis of rhythm and beats.
Indo-European Languages: The origin of the Indo-European language family is traced to the Central Asian Steppes through cultural artifacts and to the Vedas in India through linguistic evidence. The archeological records of migration to India are sketchy. We seek scientific analysis of the migration of language features to and out of India. The important aspect appears to be the philosophical distinction between man observing the universe and man included in the universe. We welcome contributions that analyze the development of philosophy through language.
Two-hundred-word abstracts are solicited and can be submitted by email to idcin...@gmail.com
The submission closing is April 15, 2026. Acceptance intimation – April 25, 2026.
Please contact: Paul Meixler pmei...@gmail.com, Prem Nagar prem...@gmail.com, Rita Pandey ree...@gmai.com, Abhijit Mandal abhiji...@gmail.com or Bijoy Misra misra...@gmail.com