Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-19
LINGUISTIC STUDY
DEvELOPED.AT C. ".
Sanscrit Class of Nine Is
One of Largest in Eastern
Universities.

the origins and development of Ian.
guages, Is Of growing Importance as q
field Of study at George Washington
University. Under the direction of
Prof. Edward H. Sehrt, the Division of
Languages and Literature of the uni
general linguistics, middle high Ger
man, old high German, Gothic, old
Morse and SanScrit.
The phenomenal interest in this
branch of highly specialized study is
evidenced by the fact that the class
In Sanscrtt numbers nine students, be-
ing one Of the largest in the East.
The course In Sanscrit Is conducted
by Prof. Sehrt in cooperation with the
department Of English, the department
OF romance languages and the depart
ment OF arlthropology, and is an in
stance OF the interdepartmental CO.
operation which has developed as a re.
suit Of the divisional system recently
established within the senior college Of
the university. Under this system,
curriculum departments are grouped
In divisions on the basis of relation
ship OF content and similarity of back
ground and viewpoint, affording groups
Of scholars the opportunity to work to-
gether on common problems.
A Recognized Linguistic Authority.
Prof. Sehrt Is recognized authority
In nnguisticS. A graduate Of Johns
Hopkins University with the degrees of
bachelor OF arts and doctor Of philoS-
ophy, he has studied extensively abroad
and has taught at the University Of
Delaware, Bryn Mawr College, Gettys-
burg College, Washington College and
Johns Hopkins University.
Aside from numerous articles in philo-
logical periodicals, he has published q
monumental dictionary Of old Saxon.
ProA Sehrt now Is engaged In editing
new and authoritative edition Of the
complete works OF Notker Labeo, the
famous medieval monk and teacher of
the monastery Of ST. Gallen, based on q
new collation. Of all extant manu-
scripts In the libraries of Europe, and
also Is compiling Q complete dictionary
Of his works.
Dr.. Sehrt was chosen to conduct the
classes In Gothic and old Morse held
by the Linguistic Institute In New York
during the past Summer. These class
es, sponsored by the Linguistic Society
Of America, are held each year to give
the graduate student of language OPP
portunity to study any phase Of Lam
guage development, both in the Indo-
European and the Semetic groups.
Prof. Sel1rt - chairman Of the his
tor1cal grammar group and secretary
for German literature Of the sixteenth
century OF the Modern Language As
ISOLATION Of America, which Is to meet
In Washington in December under the
joint auspices Of American University,
Catholic University, GEORGETOWN Uni
versity and George washington uni
versity. Dean George N. Henning Of
the Graduate School of Letters and
Sciences Is chairman Of the local COM
n1ittee arranging for the meeting.
SS.0o0 Granted Prof. Bemis.
The Social Science Research Council
has announced q grant Of 5000 to
Prof; Samuel Flag Bennis Of the His
tory Department, to be uesd In the prep
aration Of Guide to the Diplomatic
History of the United States" In this
work Prof. Bemis will collaborate with
Miss Grace Grimm, eminent bibliogra-
pher Of American history. The work
viii serve Is q guide for the inveSti-
gator studying the diplomatic history
Of the United States In collections Of
ofacial manuscripts IN the United
States and in the principal foreign coun-
tries. II win focus attention upon the
opportunities for research In dipIo-
matte history which are afforded by
the archival resources Of Washington
and viii be Of great Importance to the
graduate student in American history
at George Washington University.
Prof. BeTnis, who is one Of the out
standing scholars Of this country and
winner Of the Pulitzer prize In his
tory, returned to the university last
year after two years abroad spent in
directing the European mission Of the
Library Of Congress. The purpose Of
the mission was 10 make available to
historical research workers the great
quantity Of widely scattered material
relating TO American diplomatic his
tory, and involved the location and pho
tographing Of documents In the state
archives and libraries Of England,
France, Holland, Germany. Spain. Dem
mark. Sweden, Norway, italy, Austria
and Russia.
The bi-milIenial celebration Of the
birth Of Virgil was recognized by the
university at the Fall convocation held
Wednesday evening in Memorial Con-
tinental Hall, when the principal adj
dress was made BY the italian Ambas-
sador. On behalf Of Premier Musso-
lini, the Ambassador delivered q greet
ing to all scholars Of the American
Nation.