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This work represents the culmination of the efforts of many people. I express my deepest gratitude to my supervisor Prof. Anvita Abbi, without whose constant support, encouragement and guidance this work would have never seen the light of the day. Her insights, daring nature to visit new vistas, especially in the area of field linguistics, and her enthusiasm really helped me get going.

This acknowledgement would be incomplete without expressing my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Ayesha Kidwai for her encouragement and free access to her library.

I am also thankful to our Chairperson Prof. Harish Narang for his access to her operation.

My parents, my brother Sujit, and relatives, especially my grandfather, Mr. N. C. Naik, my aunt Mrs.Arati Naik and my cousin Sohag deserve special mention for being of great help, especially during my field work.

All my friends, Binod, Debasish, Ishani, Girija, Lakhan, Liza, Nishant, Priyanka, Priyaranjan, Priyabrata, Rachna, Shailendra, Shalabh have been a great source of encouragement. Thye have stood by me through thick and thin, right from discussing problems to proof reading and corrections.

I am also thankful to my typists Raju and Satish, who took great pains in typ[ing this difficult manuscript.

I am solely responsible for any shortcomings that may have remained.

(AJIT KUMAR NAIK)