GENERAL INDEX, 70.000, INTRODUCTION

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of Linguistics and Anthropology of Leiden ( of which the latest Supplement was published by Dr Voorhoeve in 1966) and Dr Uhlenbeck’s Critical Survey of Studies on the languages of Java and Madura (1964) contain more up-to-date information on Javanese editions and publications. These Catalogues are easily accessible in public libraries, which is not the case with the “Pratélan”. The latter has the advantage of providing summaries of the contents of the books; it is descriptive, whereas the Institute's Catalogues only contain book-titles and names of authors. It should be noted that in the present General Index all Javanese names and words are spelled or transcribed according to the system which is explained in § 00100. The words beginning with letters which are provided with diacritical marks (n, n, 13; s, s; d, t, etc.) are not separated from those beginning with the simple letters (n, s, d, t, etc.). Javanese words and personal names (of authors, such as are mentioned frequently in the “Pratélan”) and geographical names have also been transcribed according to the system of § 00100. The antiquated Dutch spelling has been elimi nated in order to promote the uniformity of the spelling of all Javanese words and names, ancient and modern. In some cases the original (Dutch, Sanskrit or Arabic) spelling of a word or a name has been added, to preclude misunderstanding. Sanskrit and Arabic words and names have been spelled in the manner which is usual in Javanese texts. The original forms of the words have been mentioned only in a few cases, where it seemed useful. The numerous Javanese names and words which are compounds have been split up into their component parts, which makes the reading easier. Only some compound geographical names of frequent occurrence such as Surakarta, Surabaya, Banumas, are excepted from this rule. It is hoped that the present General Index may prove useful to scholars in rendering accessible the considerable quantity of interesting information on many subjects pertaining to cultural anthropology in general, which is to be found in Javanese texts. Javanese authors, both ancient and comparatively modern, had a remarkable propensity to write encyclopedic works containing information on a variety of subjects deemed interesting. The fruits of their industry are to be reaped in the interest of modern research. Of course, scholars unfamiliar with the Javanese language are at a disadvantage. The script, too, is a stumbling-block. But then, many codexes are available in romanized copies, and several interesting texts have been edited and even translated. It has been the present author’s aim, in making the General Index, to spread knowledge on the work of Javanese authors, many °f them anonymous, who in the course of ten centuries created a literature characteristic of an Indonesian people living on the confines of the Greater India cultural sphere.