History and Philosophy of the Language Sciences Podcast episode 1: Pre-history of comparative-historical linguistics
Dec 30, 2019
Discover the fascinating pre-history of comparative-historical grammar, tracing its roots in modern linguistics. Learn about the monumental shift in the 19th century as scholars like Sir William Jones and Friedrich Schlegel transformed linguistic study into a scientific endeavor. Delve into the philosophical underpinnings of language meaning, highlighting insights from thinkers such as John Locke and Leibniz. This exploration reveals how early efforts laid the groundwork for understanding language connections across cultures.
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Scientific Linguistics
- Linguistics has a standard history, where the genealogical approach is considered the first truly scientific study of language.
- This 'scientific' status, sweeping away prior work, is a recurring motif in the human sciences.
Sir William Jones and the Philologer Passage
- Sir William Jones, a British Orientalist, is considered a key figure in the history of linguistics.
- His "Philologer Passage" is often cited as prefiguring comparative historical grammar.
Jones's Insight
- Jones's "Philologer Passage" identifies similarities in verb roots and grammatical forms across languages, attributing them to a common ancestor.
- This passage reflects the fundamental elements of later comparative historical grammar.
