The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-10-11
Lion of Languages.

Of all the people we who speak the
English have the best right to be
proud of our language. 1t is without
question the lion of languages and has
proved itself a conquercr wherever it
has gained foothold, for it is pecu,
liarly adapted to every race, cline and
condition. Its extensive adaptability
is illimitable, and it is remark kably and
aggressive voracious, for wherever it
goes it sounds the death knell OF all
its rivals. Coeval with its entrance
into Great Britain it began it's work
of destruction. The real British, the
Cymric or Welsh. Erse or Irish, the
Gaelic of Scotland and the Manx OF
the Isle Of Man all went down before
it, it may be said, for the British Gel
tic is absolutely gone from the earth,
and the others must soon follow and
become like many languages OF the
past, for what remain of them at the
present time are entirely local. 1t is
notable that, in addition to those cited,
it conquered and banished the Morse,
the Norman-French and several other
tongues which made an effort to trans
plant themselves on English soil, and
| is still and will continue to be at work
throughout the world, planting itself
and at the same time displacing 9TH
ers.
1t is not long since French was the
handiest language to traveller upon
the continent, but at this time we are
proud to say that English is by far
superior because it is more frequently
spoken. It has become the CONNER
cial language. 1t is being taught in
the schools of all nations, and no
English-speaking man need fear that
he may not make himself understood
in any part of the world when employ
ing this language as means OF COM
munication.
Prof. Grim, of Berlin, says Of the
English language that it has a thor
ough power of expression such as no
other language ever possessed. 1t
may truly be called world language,
for no other may venture to compare
with it in richness, reasonableness and
solidity Of texture. Provost Paradol,
learned Frenchman, says that neither
Russia nor Germany, supposing that
they should attain the highestfortune,
can pretend to impede the current OF
things nor prevent that solution, rela-
tiyoiy near at hand. of the long rivalry
Of European races for the ultimate
colonization and domination of the
universe. He says further that "the
world will not be Russian nor German
nor French, alas nor Spanish, but 1t
will be Anglo-Saxon."
No clearer or truer description OF
the languages enumerated, with their
| relative differences, ever appeared in
type than is conveyed in the following
poem:
Greeks harp we love to hear,
Latin is trumpet clear.
Spanish like an organ swells,
Italian rings its bridal bells.
France, with many frolic mien,
Tune her sprightly violin,
|
When Russia's flashing cymbals come.
But Britou's sons may we'll rejoice,
For English is the human voice.
The English, Russian, German.
French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese
and Scandinavian are the most power.
full languages within the bounds Of
Christian civilization, because they
are the tongues Of vigorous people
With the exception Of the English
these are all indigenous and die il
transplanted. The United States is
the youngest of powerful countries
vet it is a cemetery of many languages
For instance, French, one OF the
sweetest Of tongues, threatened tt
become the national language: Louis
lana was settled by people Of TIM
French nation, who brought thell
language with them and planted il
upon that soil in anticipation OF it'
growth. Instead, however, Of it:
growing and spreading over the coun
try, it began to weaken, and 1T vii
soon disappear from the memories o.
the inhabitants Of that State.
1t is only necessary to note thf
population according to these severa
languages to realize the Interchangeable
future Of the English, now striding OF
and on over the face Of the earth witt
wonderful impetuosity and vigol
that will not be- restrained: 49,
English is spoken by 9O,OO0,OOO O.
people, Russian, Is, 600, 900; German
Sc, 100000; French, 10000, 600; Span
ish, $4,000, 1000; Italian, $4,000, ,OOO
Portuguese, 100000, and Scandl
navian, 5000, 600. Within the con
troll of the Government Of these sew
eral languages England rules owe
255, 100000 Of people who do not a
vet speak the English language, AM
the other seven have only Is, 600, o0'
outside of themselves-an astonishing
difference. >,
It must be remembered, besides
that the English language is divided
into two governments only, while tn
other six are divided into twenty-six
all of whom are filled with bitter enml
ties, one for the other, while they ar
and it appears ever will be using ever!
device and pretence to supplant ant
coerce the other, but it is just as no
ticeable that England and the Unite'
States are now and will ever contlnu
at peace. To those who have CAREFUL!
and with unprejudiced minds consid
cred the subject there can be no doqb
that the English will eventually be
come the universal language OF tn
earth, and when we observe the aston
ishing strides it has made in the pas
it may aptly be remarked that tn
time is not far distant, particularly
it advances into foreign countries an,
continents the rate of progress whlcl
it has attained for the past fifty years
It was through the medium OF tn
Dutch language that the Japa1nes
carried on their foreign correspondence
until within few years. Now the.
have changed the Dutch for the En-