Nòdrs, karûdchîrkünâkh; Kars, inâtvidshti inâtvan;[9] Pan and Taradr, Mutchôthvanmodethokvan; Keradr, miniapîr mâvelkar; Kanòdrs, Tîrztashkkarzikunp; Kwòdrdoni and Nidrsi, Keitankeikar; Päm, Arzomolkutchi; Melgars, Narzulnnatülnnâkh; Kuudr and Pedrkars, Kishvettarskvan; Piedr, Kûzherikwelvpurserthunm; Kusharf, Nulkarsîrnazhuv; Keradr, Nelppârsîrkudeipar; Kulhem, Pelthrîrkan.

The kwarzam of the Keradr buffaloes refers to the tradition of their creation (see p. [192]), and here again with further knowledge there is little doubt that most of the kwarzam would be found to have a definite meaning, probably derived from legends concerning the buffaloes or the villages to which they belong.

The second kind of sacred language, in use at the ti dairies, has been already considered. Every kind of dairy vessel or other object used in the dairy ceremonial has a name at the ti different from that used in the house or village dairy. These different names have been given in describing the dairy ceremonial, but I have not hitherto referred to certain other differences of language, especially in verbal forms. Different words are used in the two kinds of dairy for the verb ‘to drink’; thus, when a village dairyman orders another to drink buttermilk, he says “Maj ûn!” while at the ti the palol says “Kaizhvat!” This latter formula is interesting in that kaizh is not the usual ti word for buttermilk (mòr) and only occurs, as far as I can ascertain, in conjunction with the verb vat. A village dairyman uses the verb part, pray, while at the ti, the verb pôhvetnört is used. Thus the question “have you prayed?” would be “partikudricha?” at the village and “pôhvetnörtikudricha?” at the ti. Similarly [[616]]different forms of the verb ‘to milk’ are used. “We have milked” at the village would be “îrkartkudrvispimi” often shortened into îrkartspimi, while at the ti “karvukkudrivispimi” would be said; “we have not milked” would be “îrkarami” at the village and “îrkarpûkhami” at the ti.

There are certain verbs used at the ti dairy which may only be pronounced by ordinary people in the third person. A good example is the verb nört, and it will be noticed that the names of ceremonies in which this verb is used have always been given in the third person, irnörtiti, and never in the first person plural as in the case of most other ceremonies.

About the third kind of sacred language, I know very little. It will have been noticed that the words and sentences which are used in the legends of [Chapter IX] are unlike those which occur elsewhere, and I was especially told that certain words only occurred in the stories of the gods. A special instance given was that of the words “tar tûrzhoḍthrska” (see p. [201]), where tar[10] was said to be the teu word for ‘man.’ The words kwudrpedrshai and kaipedrshai in the same legend were given as other examples of teu language.

[[Contents]]

Secret Language

The Todas have a large number of expressions which they use in the presence of Badagas, Tamils and others when they wish to be understood only by themselves. Many of the Badagas and Tamils with whom the Todas associate no doubt pick up some knowledge of their language, and even if this were not the case, the Toda language is sufficiently like Tamil to enable a stranger to understand part of what is said. In consequence the Todas have adopted a secret code for use among themselves which they call kalikatpimi, literally “stolen we tie,” while in distinction the ordinary language is called itherkelv or “front fact.” [[617]]

The following are the chief instances of which I was told.

Ordinary Language.Secret Language.
Pârshk Milk to nîr water at mix kwadr! give.
i.e., give milk mixed with water! 		Nonk Four nâr sides pudvaink which came from kagîr old buffalo pârs milk at mix kwadr! give!
i.e., give milk mixed with what comes from the four teats of an old buffalo.
Pârs milk âdr cook
i.e., cook food in milk! 		Nonk Four nâr sides pud come mûdn three on tarsk up idsht! put
i.e., Put what comes from the four teats upon the three (stones of the oven).
Tòr Have tidshia? you taken food? Kâtô Teeth nòrth between kershia? did you throw?
At There (or away) vokh! go! At There (or away) erd two (legs) af! get!
Iren The buffalo akaik in the wood ud! hide! kûdr Horn valvpoi crooked tòrs wood ûlâr into kî! go!
Kan Is he odthi? not blind? Kûdren Black pom fruit odthinû? has he not?