1. Academic Influence:
* Classical Studies: The study of ancient Greek and Latin, which had themselves been influenced by Sanskrit, became a cornerstone of European education. This exposed scholars to Sanskrit concepts and vocabulary, some of which were later borrowed into English.
* Linguistic Studies: As comparative linguistics developed in the 19th century, Sanskrit was recognized as a key language for understanding the origins and relationships between Indo-European languages, including English.
2. Religious and Philosophical Influence:
* Buddhism: The spread of Buddhism to the West, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries, introduced English speakers to Sanskrit terms related to Buddhist philosophy and practice. Examples include "Nirvana," "karma," and "dharma."
* Hinduism: Similarly, the study of Hinduism brought in Sanskrit words like "yoga," "mantra," and "avatar."
3. Scientific and Technical Influence:
* Astronomy and Mathematics: Sanskrit had a well-developed system for expressing numbers and astronomical concepts, some of which influenced early European scientific terminology.
4. Indirect Influence:
* Borrowings through Other Languages: Sanskrit terms were often borrowed into other languages, like Persian, Arabic, and Latin, which subsequently influenced English. Examples include "checkmate" (from Persian, which itself was influenced by Sanskrit).
Examples of Sanskrit Influence:
* Philosophy and Religion: Nirvana, karma, Dharma, yoga, mantra, avatar
* General Terms: Jungle, loot, guru, thug
* Scientific: Zero, algorithm, sine, cosine
It's crucial to note that while English has borrowed many words and concepts from Sanskrit, the two languages have very different grammatical structures and vocabulary. Sanskrit's influence on English is primarily through specific terms and ideas rather than a wholesale adoption of its language system.