Description
Excerpt from A Complete Etymology of the English Language: Containing the Anglo-Saxon, French, Dutch, German, Welsh, Danish, Gothic, Swedish, Gaelic, Italian, Latin, and Greek Roots, and the English Words Derived Therefrom, Accurately Spelled, Accented, and Defined
As words were formed to convey, not only the thoughts of the mind, but the feelings of the heart, they would in the first production of a language, naturally take that shape which would best represent their mental and physical powers. Those sounds would be selected which were adapted to the frame of the organs, and the feeling expressed. A robust conformation of the bodily frame, and great energy of mind, would, therefore, naturally express itself in words of corresponding strength and tone. These are the features which distinguish the languages of Gothic origin, especially the anglo-saxon, with its immediate descendant, the modern English; which has the strength of iron, with the gleam and sparkling of burnished steel.
The English Language is eminently a composite language, made up of contributions from other languages: anglo-saxon,* Danish, Dutch, Celtic, German, French, Latin, Greek, and some others.
The anglo-saxon is a branch of the Low German dialects, and resembles the old Etisie, the parent of the modern Dutch, and once spoken extensively between the Rhine and the Elbe. It is a very ancient language, its origin being completely lost in antiquity; the Latin in comparison, is a mere modern language.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
As words were formed to convey, not only the thoughts of the mind, but the feelings of the heart, they would in the first production of a language, naturally take that shape which would best represent their mental and physical powers. Those sounds would be selected which were adapted to the frame of the organs, and the feeling expressed. A robust conformation of the bodily frame, and great energy of mind, would, therefore, naturally express itself in words of corresponding strength and tone. These are the features which distinguish the languages of Gothic origin, especially the anglo-saxon, with its immediate descendant, the modern English; which has the strength of iron, with the gleam and sparkling of burnished steel.
The English Language is eminently a composite language, made up of contributions from other languages: anglo-saxon,* Danish, Dutch, Celtic, German, French, Latin, Greek, and some others.
The anglo-saxon is a branch of the Low German dialects, and resembles the old Etisie, the parent of the modern Dutch, and once spoken extensively between the Rhine and the Elbe. It is a very ancient language, its origin being completely lost in antiquity; the Latin in comparison, is a mere modern language.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
Details
Publisher - Forgotten Books
Language - English
Hardback
Contributors
Author
William W. Smith
Published Date -
ISBN - 9780266348016
Dimensions - 22.9 x 15.2 x 1.8 cm
Page Count - 343
Paperback
Contributors
Author
William W. Smith
Published Date -
ISBN - 9781332765188
Dimensions - 22.9 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm
Page Count - 345
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