The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-11-12
MOUTH GYMNASTICS

| Someone, the Eagle doesn't know
his name. has submitted some queer
facts in regard TO the origin of Ian
| guage We are a race of writers and
speakers. and it is little wonder that
we often pause 30 puzzle over the
words we use. The idea advanced by
the writer above mentioned is some
| thing akin to the "Bow-wow" theory,
but it has some other features. One
of these features Is the necessity of
| mouth gesture in using common words.
From this the theory is deducted that
the effort of the aborigine was 10 i'm
part some Of his meaning by the move
ment of his lips accompanying the
sound uttered, which sound ultimately
became conventional word. First Of
all it is stated that today in indicating
direction the Malays pout out their
lips. When our race was in a prlml-
tive state then we are TO suppose that
it used everything to indicate its mo-
ton, even the lips, and in using the
lips and initiating the action or thing
desired to be conveyed, certain words
were originated.
If the reader of the Eagle will take
the word $50" and pronounce it, he will
see that this theory is not as silly as it
looks The lips point outward. Now
pronounce the word Of opposite mean
ing "come" The lips come together
and press inwards. If you are still a
sceptic. take the word down" There
is quick downward movement of the
lower jaw. You cannot pronounce
the word "down" without it Now
pronounce the word up" You can
open your lips ever so slowly, but when
the word is pronounced, the motion of |
the jaw is quick and Upward. You
cannot pronounce ''up" on a downward |
motion of the lower jaw.
Beginning on this line it is surprising |
the number of words anyone can find
that are initiative Of the thing they are
intended to designate and which are
aided by gestures Of the lips. For in
stance the word "spit' represents the
In the same way words pertaining to
the nose are formed by nasal sounds,
such as are represented by our letters,
m. n, ng with the sibilants or z. Thus
we have ''SnOut" ''SneeZe," nozzle"
''sneer," ''sniff," all connected with the
nose.
The writer goes on to point out the
minute differences Of quality of various
sounds represented in their
names, as the light and moderately
sharp tap" the much sharper SNAP"
he fuller and broader "clap," with the
ess abrupt flap" the duller flop"
md the softer and still duller "thud"
So the sound of boiling liquids is
represented in ''bubble;" the sound of
lard things striking together by "clat-
err"
Even more expressive are the words
~ which we indicate power or effort, I
uch as strive" struggle" strong" :
strength" this last being. according
o the writer, one of the most remark
Ibly expressive in the language, con-
listing of no less than seven consonants I
md only one vowel, all the consonants
'eing fully and distinctly sounded, and ,
bringing out the very quality it is used /
o express, that is, strength. /
When pronouncing the word suck {
We are initiating both the sound and !
ction of sucking by drawing back the ,
ongue during an inspiration; and in 1
taste" we initiate the action of tast- 1
1g. by moving the tongue twice with '
4 the mouth into contact with the pal /
tie, as we do actually in tasting. In c
he word Sweet we seem to draw in {
nd taste an agreeable substance; in C
sour" we open the mouth and the
)ngue remains, on guard, free from t
ither teeth or palate. C
This can be continued Indefinitely.
may not prove what is intended for c
, but it raises some curious questions. F
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