The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-17
LANGUAGE STUDY.
Training in the Art and Science of
Internretation


An indispensable part of truly
liberal education consists of training in
the science and art of Interpretation.
Language is the distinctiVely human
means OF communication. a knowledge
OF language which. is essentially differ
ent from that possessed by the fluent
speaker of several languages is abso-
lutely essential to the precise and salts
factory Interpretation of any language.
Language is the form in which the high
est expressions of human thought and
feeling come TO the Individual man and
to the succeeding generations of men,
Language is, therefore, the essential
form of what we call literature, in the
widest meaning of that word. The inter
probation of language Is the use of the
key that unl0cks the treasures of Htera-
ture. Therefore language must be stu
died as a training in the science and
art of Interpretation, or else the accu-
rate and comprehensive knowledge of
the best thoughts, feelings and activities
of humanity is shut cut of the mind.
To acquire the science and art of in
depreciation, the prolonged and careful
study of some one language is absolute
ly indispensable. Such a study of one
language is not only Indispensable, but
it is sufficient for the average college
student. For this purpose it is even far
better to concentrate upon one language
than to divide the time among three or
four languages. He who knows one
language in this way knows something
which cannot be otherwise acquired
about all langu2g es, about language as
such He is prepared not only to ac-
duire with a largely increased facility
any language which he chooses to ac-
quire but to use that language intel
ligently and skillfully as the key to IN
lock the stores of literature which it
may contain.
Such study of language as shall re-
suit in training in the science and art
of Interpretation cannot easily be con-
Quoted otherwise than in a language
foreign to the student. Indeed, I very
much doubt whether it is possible to
impart any considerable degree of this
kind of culture without compelling that
careful attention to words-their mean
ing, their position in the sentence. their
value. etc.-which unfamiliarity and the
consequent compulsion to make ser
ious attempt at learning, of necessity
bring about. He who is compelled to
study a series of words that at first
mean little or nothing to him, must
somehow make shift to discover what
they do mean He must become an in
VestigatOr, an explorer. an experimental
and discoverer in this foreign land The
attempt to force this way of investigat-
ing ones own familiar and native
speech when the way has not already
been prepared by training in some for
eign language. is not a all likely to be
successful. English. therefore. can never
be substituted for the classical lang
ia gcs.
Among all foreign languages the clas-
steal languages are for us best adapted
to use by the teacher for training in the
science and art of interpretation This
! is due to the very structure of these
languages, to the fact that. being dead,
they are the more foreign, and. espe-
ciaIly, to the exceedingly elaborate and
generally admirable apparatus of gram
mars. lexicons, annotated editions. his
/ torical and antiquarian illustrations.
etc. with which several centuries OF
diligent research and careful scholar
ship have provided these languages
TIE Forum.