Srivaishnavas and their own vocabulary - Paribhashai
It is quite known that brahmins, particularly Iyengars have a separate dialect of their own. A unique characteristic of Srivaishnava Tamizh is its retention of a lexicon associated with sacredness called the Paribhashai. A very interesting thing to note is that the Srivaishnava community comprises of non brahmins too from the other varnas who equally pride themselves in using this vocabulary. To a common man, this may sound like a completely different language. Let me give you an example: Brahmin Tamizh makes distinctions between potable water (tīrtham) and non-potable water (jalam), with the former bearing a sacred connotation. But it is to be noted that in the present day jalam is also used for potable water, but making it a word particularly used in the brahmin community. The general Tamizh vernacular, in comparison, employs the terms tanīr or tannī to refer to potable water. Srivaishnavas use the word Thiru in a lot of varied instances as a prefix. This brings out the holiness an