Page:Madras journal of literature and science vol 2 new series 1857.djvu/229

JULY— SEPT. 1857.] The Study of Lm?ig Languages, 210
 * 4th. A thorough knowledge of the whole grammar, so as to be able to give a formal rule for any thing when questioned.


 * 5th. And such a familiar knowledge of the idiom of the language as will enable one to write formal papers in a good style.

The points that are of little or no consequence are,


 * 1st. Correct pronunciation.


 * 2nd. An extensive knowledge of the common expressions used in the ordinary business of life.


 * 3rd. A perfect readiness at recognizing the word by the sound when rapidly spoken.


 * 4th. The same in forming sentences to express our own thoughts.

Now, if we consider these things we shall perceive that the study of the dead languages and that of the living languages of semi-civilized and barbarous nations are almost diametrically opposed in respect of the objects to be attained. The points that are essential in the one are either non-essential, or of no importance whatever in the other and vice versa. A man may talk a language most fluently, correctly and usefully, for all the ordinary business of life, without knowing the character, without being able to quote a single rule of grammar, without the knowledge of half or three-fourths of the vocabulary of a language, and without any facility in comprehending the involved sentences of formal writings of learned men; while, without an accurate pronunciation, an ample acquaintance with the common colloquial expressions of uneducated people, and a most free and ready use of them, so that strangers can readily catch his words and comprehend his meaning, and without an ear thoroughly exercised in the sounds of the language, so as at once to recognise what is spoken by a Native, he has entirely missed his object, though he may know every word in the language and every rule of grammar, and be able to write an elegant essay without a mistake. Books of history, kc. do not furnish us with the expressions of ordinary conversation. Every country has its own peculiar forms and they must be learnt individually; no rules can be given by which a student, who knows the words and grammar, can invent them himself. In semi-civilised countries, where not