We came across an interesting article this morning on the Sanskrit language in the Bangalore Mirror. We like to keep an eye on language developments around the world to keep bringing you interesting stories relevant to those of your working in translation services or those of you are simply interested in learning about different cultures in their many forms, or staying up to date with how language and translation can affect your online business practices.

However we never thought we’d come across such an interesting and relevant local story in a publication so far from home!

Sanskrit is more than 5,000 years old and one of the oldest languages in the world. It forms the base of holy scriptures spanning across three religions. But in recent times, Sanskrit as a subject has seen a decline. According to the article though, thanks to a man named Rutger Kortonhorst, the language is flourishing in Dublin! Rutger Kortonhorst, a Dutch man living and working in Ireland and teaching Sanskrit in Dublin. He also gives guest lectures in Sanskrit around the world and teaches the language to children in schools.

“When Kortonhorst was 20, he signed up for a course in practical philosophy at the School of Philosophy and Economic Science in Dublin. He discovered on joining the course that practical philosophy was the English translation of Advaita Vedanta, a sub-school of the Vedanta school of Vedic or Hindu philosophy and religious practice, which declares that there is but one reality. He decided that he would learn the language of the Vedas to understand them better. Thus began his quest to learn Sanskrit, which according to him is a continuous journey.”

Read the rest of the article here >