Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-08-27

RraTnmarAns are not disposed to regard them even vet as part of language-they consider them ra- ther as natural and spontaneous indications of the various emotions of the mind. This corroborates our view of the origin of language; which regards it hs spontaneous growth, rather than a revelation or an invention. Necessity may next have given rise to names, if these could be regarded even as secondary. The fOuntain the game secured for food the shelter the shade which the rudest family may be supposed t0 enjoy must all soon have been ndi- cated by artlcuate sounds. It has been cOnjecured too, from the of the thing, as well as from certain remains of such resemblances, still being dscOverable Tn all languages, that many of the first arcuate sounds, adopted to denote objects were initiated of natural sounds made by the objects in dications, connected that the mind was capa- ble of assoclating them together. To call blrd, CUCKOO, in imitation of it's common cry an insect CArY-DID, in imitation of its continued evening cla- mor scarcely seems to require any invention Nanes that were first given to denote individuals, or in the language of grammar as PROPER NOUNS, would ne- cessary be used as COMMON names, or NOUNS, when they found to apply equally well to hundreds of the same kind Here may perceive how the convenience of an existing language may have fla ctated thought, generalization, and abstraction. When we have supposed the existence of in- terlectons and nouns, we have supposed stock of materials from which verbs and other parts ofspeech
 would easily be formed, pressing necessity called for them. Let illustrate this subject, the forma- tion of one part of speech from another, from our own language, to which will now more closely turn attention.
 From the noun SHELTER, place of security from the weather, derive the verb TO SHELTER, to place in a shelter, or to secure from the weather; from the noun SPRING, fountain, we derive the verb TO SPRING, or gush forth; from the noun MAN, the verb TO MAN, or fill with men from the noun FIRE the verb TO FIRE, that is, to ignite; from the noun WATER, the verb TO WATER from the noun fAND the verb TO LAND from the noun LIGHT, the verb TO LIGHT. Here may see how language IS extended and diversified, from the obvious sugges- tions of convenience and necessity. No elaborate invention is exered in these instances; no new word is formed: but by a different of known term, a new idea is not only indicated, but new part of speech takes it's place in the language. As there would be some danger of mistake, by confounding the verb with the noun, the speaker would naturally endeavor to avoid this confusion by varying the tone of his voice, and the manner of expression. Hence we might naturally suppose, that in time there would be some change in the word itself. Many examples ofths kind might be given; but few may suffice for the illustration In those which follow, the noun Is placed first: price, prise; brass braze; glass gta=e; breath breathe; house, house, the verb being pro- nounced h0uze. Adlectives formed from substan- lives in like manner slight variation being gene rally made in the primitive: as from hand, hdndy; from heart hearty; from toood, acoody; from JaSh bushu; from aceed aceedg; from acater, acdery; &c Thus we see new words are formed by the most easy gradations Necessity and convenience lead to the formation of new terms The best, readiest, and most artless way is to form them out of old ones When one mode of formation has been marked out, it followed out for the future in all similar cases not through skill and ingenuity, but because, if may use homely adage, the best way IS good as any, and the best way is the easiest way. Perhaps I should speak more accurately to say, that we so constituted intellectually, to perceive analoges and to act upon them ntutvely, or at least without any effort obvious to ourselves. This anaogizing principle in the human mind is the source of the growth, expansion and orderly arrangement of Ian guage fyou choose still to regard language as an invention, here is the inventing principle. If you wish to regard it as the gift of 1eaven-agreed ; we will not dispute about terms; language, like all other blessings, unquestionably comes from above: and this anaogizing principle is the principle of n- spration by means of which Heaven effects his kind purposes This principle ofinspraon is not content with giving man few poor and narrow rndments of speech and then leaving him without further help but it guides the improvement and expansion ot the language infuses order and shuns confusion.
 Although it must be apparent to all that do not adopt the theory of the Divine origin of language, according to the common use of these terms, yet the theory which 1 adopt places the wisdom and goodness of Providence in still more interesting point of view. The security of our language from Arrangement and confusion, does not depend on the guardianship of Literat who, if they desert not nature and her laws, may be co-workers in the ge- neral improvement, but who, if they indulge an ar tical and pedantc taste, will be apter to do mis- chief It does not depend upon these, but upon principle of which no who is not an idiot is destitute Even those who have no literary law who have never learned to read, yet law unto themselves; they will unavoidaby fall into certain anaoges, which will save their language from ab- solute confusion They may fail in general correct ness; their mode of speech may be esteemed vulgar or provincial, or it may become a separate dialect still there will be system in it, and to those who understand the dialect, they will be ineligible. To mention one or two of these vulgar anaogIes: It is known that we have an irregular verb TO BITE, the preerite of which is and another irregular verb of similar sound, TO LIGHT, the pretere of which is LIT. We have still another irregular verb of similar sound, TO FIGHT and the illiterate, fol- lowing the analogy of the two former say FIT in the preterite; as, he FIT like a lion, instead of, he fought &c. The verb TO EAT, is pronounced in the preterte as if written EFT and MEET, in like manner becomes MET. The illiterate follow up the analogy in the verb TO HEAT, which Is not irregular, and say HET in the preterite; as 1 HET the oven. Thus have attempted to show that there is even order in error in doing which have had two Ob- jects: first to establish my position in regard to the principle of analogy; and in the second place, to point those vulgar errors, modes of speech to be carefully avoided. In further support of the doc Urine laid down, it may be remarked, that children follow analogy, even where the caprlces of correct language desert it. They say HHte hitler, fullest good gooder goodest; ,oe aoelter aoelest; conform ing to the rule of comparing adjectives, by adding CT and est to the positive without of course know ing any more of the rule which IS observed, than ol the exceptions which are violated. but not withont perceving or rather feeling the analogy.
 Our remarks as to the gradual progress of Ian guage from imperfect beginnings and ncongruous materials into order. beauty, and copiousness; open ing into systematic analogies and becoming subser- yient to all the operations of mind, must not be re- garded as conjeciural. All the modern languages o Europe may serve to exemplify this curious and pleas ing progress of human speech. But our own Ian guage furnishes abundant illustration.
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