Page:Ralcy H. Bell - The Mystery of Words (1924).pdf/125

 ing implosive and explosive phenomena. The laws of simple vocal sounds have revealed new aspects of the phenomenon of syllabation, and further examination of these laws has modified very materially some of the older theories. Thus we have learned how to avoid vicious circles in our reasoning whilst trying to form a conception of these phenomena. In all this, the time-function has not been ignored; and the result, happy in the recent past, augurs well for the near future.

A study of the general principles of language has brought out the nature of the linguistic sign-system, together with its many significant bearings on the parts of speech. The arbitrary and static elements of language, although closely related to the fluid elements of current idiomatic speech, have revealed new aspects when examined from different points-of-view. The confusion, for instance, resulting from the double aspect of mutability on the one side and rigidity on the other, virtually has cleared away. The con-