New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-12-11
study Of the German Language.

Stuuy oil the German 1en2uhSe'
We wish to call attention TO lecture on this sub
jcct which Mr.. Erhcicr proposes 10 deliver pre-
peraiory to the forming Of classes. we have read
il in p,snuscrip: and found in it clear and judi
cious exposition OF the objects and methods OF tins
study
Mir. Er;hciler gives good reasons, both as TO men
tai culture and practical use why the study is inter
es,ing and important 10 English and Americans,
especially the latter. He alludes 10 some remarks
by Professor Won Raumer as TO the advantage of
schools where the English rad German languages
shall be mutually taught, which may be read with
advantage in this connection.
He points ont the iaacy Of the prevalent idea,
that foreign tongue can ever be learnt thoroughly
by imitation and practice alone, without understand
ing OF It's theory and structure In this no less
than other matters, he who knows not how 10 rem
der reason for the faith that is in him. will be In
competent TO teach others. and often at loss In his
own practice when new cases come up. lndecd,
without intercourse with natives and even in The
Gccnes and climate where language has grown up,
neither thorough acquaintance with its idoE2s and
fine meanings nor full command of it in speech and
writing can he attained. But study of il theoreti-
cally and in good authors should prcccde, confirm,
and intellectualize this familiar acquaintance.
Nj Erheiler points out different means which
may be used according to the wants OF different
minds. We should infer from the lecture that he
would be successful in practical teaching through
patience tact and fixing the attention of the learner
on leading points. This last is what most teachers
fail in most, especially in the case of the German
language. one with which it is easy 10 become &C
quaned If attention is directed to its roots and tho
principles of its growth; very difficult if taught by
roe and an accumulation of little rules, as it often
is by teachers, either stupid and ignorant, or who
looking on this Office merely stepping stone to
something better, a temporary means OF earning
| little money, pay attention to thinking out good
method; and by the unnecessary obstacles their
carelessness leaves in the way, discourage and dis
gust the student and excite prejudice against the
! study. This prejudice greatly regret, knowing
that many are thus deferred from learning what
would most beneti, them
| Especially here in New-York, there is no reason
why every person of any pretensons to liberal
education, should not be convcrsant with French,
German and Italian though the latter is at this mo-
ment Of lees importance. To the acquisition OF the
two former motives of practical convenience and Of
expanding and refining the mind. prompt with equal
force Let the young ladies take from dress and
Broadway some mornings for this purpose, the
Young clerks some evenings from frivolous amusc-
ments and that darling aim of approaching the co.
cal standard of Europe would find itself far better
served than now.
On those who here pause n moment TO think Can
I? Shall 2 we would urge to listen to MIR. Erthe-
ler lecture and see whether he does not offer pow
erful inducements, and make plain the way.
To others OF more earnest spirit we would say,
In no way can you better refine and ibcraze taste
and fancy than by the comparisons to which you
will be led between the gifts o: the English and the
German Muse And the language itself by its
great pictorial power and closer representation of
what is intimate and homely in life, will refresh you
after intimacy with literature and language where
there is far larger mixture oil what is merely con-
venriona mere phrases the barren civities and tao
tics Of literature Of this is not true OF the
productions of great minds any where such steep
anew the dry husk of words in Spirit till every
one terminates and blossoms into fresh life But
the stock literature OF England and America is
amazingly conventional; so much 30 that you can
predict paragraphs and chapters if you but know
the writer and the subject. The writer sleeps, and
the reader yawns through the mechanical article or
| volume.
The Phrase Book of Mr.. Ertheiler has secured a
favorable reception from which his success as a
teacher may be inferred
In mentioning Tschulick, the inventor of sue
cessful ,ype-composing machine" he says that the
name has heretofore been incorrectly printed in The
Tribune. x