The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-01-12
ARTICLE XI.


IN subject is of interest to the stu
dent of modern English, owing to the
predominance of the Latin element over
that of the Anglo Saxon. 1t is interesting
to observe in this connection. first that
notwithstanding the preponderance of
Latin derivatives the English language is
classed not with the Romance. but with
the Teutonic group of languages. And.
secondly, that the tendency of modera
writers and speakers is toward the uSe
OF Anglo-Saxon words in preference 10
tnose OF Latin; provided, Of course. that
the former express the meaning with
equal force and clearness. The reason
why the English language is cIassed witt,
the Ieutonic group, Notwithstanding the
TACT that its vocabulary contains more
than twice as many words of Latin orr
gin ta) as of Anglo-Saxon is because its
framework is Teutonic, for centuries have
aoded only growth to a structure whose
foundation never has been disturbed.
The grammar of the English languages
although materially changed is Anglo
saxon. That is, its parts of speech and
IHelf logical arrangements, together with
the construction of it's sentences accord.
ing to established usage. are essentially
Ieutonic. In the language of the
pmlologist: 1.-THE framework or skeleton
OF the English language is Teutonfc. the
Hesh and ribs are Latin" Much has
been said in disfavor of the using ~
woLoS derived from Latin in preference
70 those of Anglo-SaXon origin. Owing IN
the peculiarly composite form of modern
English its vocabulary is capable of ex-
pressing every variety of thought and
1ee1lhS, Tor the presence Of the Latin,
element makes it possible not only to
express every thought, but also to e-,-
press the same thought in MANY WAYS
10 establish a rule that good usage
should preclude the use of a Latin deriv-
dtNe When an AnglO-Saxon word can Ia
round that viii express the idea is IN
transcehd the laws that apply to usage
1here is no good reason why one
should restrict oneself to the e,,,nlu
slve use of Anglo-Saxon words when the
corresponding Latin derivatives have he
come an integral part of the language
II Is, however, a rule of correct usage
mat one should not eschew an Anglo
saxon word in order to use one derived
ION the Latin, unless the latter is
capable of expressing the meaning mora
clearly On the other hand, one should
never avoid word of Latin origin in or
Uef 10 use corresponding AngIo-Saxon
"ord unless the latter more clearly e1-
presses the meaning to be conveyed
Inc person who has good taste will dis
crlmlnate in his choice of words and will
use those which will best express his
meaning, whether they be of Latin or
Anglo-Saxon origin. For example. he will
NOT studiously avoid the use of get or
Wlsh IN order to use procure or desire.
NelLher Will he avoid the use of CONVEX
SAINT and connoisseur because thew are
not of Anglo Saxon origin. Ones sneecb
would be meager, indeed, if confined to
Ang1o-SaXon words; on the other hand.
an undue preponderance Of the Latin
element would render ones speech ne
aantlc. 1t is only the ostentatious dis
play OF Latin that is conference.-the af
recitation Of using pompous words in
place of simple ones The modern ten
dency is toward simplicity, and sim