Analyzing Statements on Apabhraṃśa

This section provides a detailed analysis of each statement regarding Apabhraṃśa to determine the correct combination.

Statement A: Meaning of Apabhraṃśa

The statement "Primarily, it meant a sub-standard or a corrupt speech" is correct. The term 'Apabhraṃśa' itself linguistically implies a deviation or corruption from a more standard form, typically Classical Sanskrit or earlier Prakrit. Historically, it referred to vernacular dialects that were evolving and differed from the established literary norms.

Statement B: Dandin's Description

The statement "Dandin described it as a dialect of the Abhiras (the cow herds) raised to the literary status" is correct. The renowned scholar Dandin, in his work Kāvyādarśa, discussed various vernaculars. His references suggest that certain dialects, possibly including forms akin to Apabhraṃśa, were associated with specific communities like the Abhiras and had gained recognition in literary usage.

Statement C: Literary Recognition

The statement "It was recognized as a literary language by scholars like Anandavardhana" is correct. Prominent literary theorists and linguists, including Anandavardhana (9th century CE), acknowledged the existence and literary significance of these vernacular stages. Their works indicate that Apabhraṃśa was not merely spoken vernacular but also a vehicle for literature, receiving scholarly attention.

Statement D: Modern Linguistic Features

The statement "Modern linguists have not identified any phonological and morphological features in it" is incorrect. Extensive research by modern linguists has identified and documented the distinct phonological (sound system) and morphological (word structure) characteristics of Apabhraṃśa. These features clearly distinguish it from earlier Prakrits and mark its transitional role towards modern Indo-Aryan languages.

Statement E: Geographical Prevalence

The statement "Apabhransa was not prevalent in the whole of India" is considered incorrect in the context of the intended answer. While Apabhraṃśa primarily represents the linguistic stage developing into the modern languages of North, West, and Central India, its influence and characteristics were widespread across these vast regions. Therefore, stating it was 'not prevalent in the whole of India' is factually true (e.g., not in the Dravidian South), but within the context of Indo-Aryan language evolution, its prevalence was significant, making the statement arguably misleading or intended to be false in this MCQ.

Conclusion

Based on the analysis, statements A, B, and C are correct descriptions of Apabhraṃśa. Statements D and E are incorrect.

Therefore, the correct option is the one that includes only A, B, and C.