When did the convention of treating Prakrits as 'languages' and not as dialects begin?
 
Was there such an attitude of 'languages' not 'dialects' towards Prakrits in Sanskrit or Prakrit sources of the ancient or medieval period?
 
Is there a work dealing with this issue?
 
Thanks in advance for any references in this direction.

--
Prof.Nagaraj Paturi
Hyderabad-500044