Editing myself

It is strange to edit one’s self. In reviewing the galley proofs for Remaking Buddhism for Mediæval Nepal the question of being pointedly British (ise or ize), of responding to current debates in Newar nationalism (Newari or Newar for the language), and of odd corrections (towards for my toward) have made me wonder who I am. I chose to use the ize that I write naturally. My accent shifts out from under me whether I like it or not—here in Aberdeen my r is changing to a flap or trill, and I can hear my vowels changing quality. Grey will remain grey, but so too will recognize.

As to the vexed question of Newari, the weight of my bookshelf bears on the question. Ever single dictionary I have, whether in German or English, uses some form of Newari; and the ISO code gives Newari as the official name of the language. Thus while I sympathise with Daya Shakya and his desires as expressed on the Nepal lists, it seems to me that we are stuck with Newari as the accepted name for Nepāl Bhāṣā for the forseeable future.