The purpose o this book is to introduce the student, by the most direct path, to the langauge of the Pali Canon. Existing primers and readers fro the study of Pali teach the later language of the Commentaries and other medieval writings, and indeed of the present day-for this very copious and flexible language is still in use. Our grammatical analysis is based on the admirable science of the medieval monks. Their terminology is given, to aid reference, but may of course be ignored by the beginner. The intention here is to cover Pali grammar intention here is to cover Pali grammar and syntax in a comprehensive manner.