Historia de la Lingüística - Documental

Updated: November 16, 2024

Luis De Loera


Summary

Sir William Jones, a judge with the British East India Company, made a groundbreaking discovery in linguistics by identifying similarities between Sanskrit and two other ancient languages in a lecture in 1786. This marked a pivotal moment leading to the understanding of language origins. The Indo-European language has been proposed as the mother language, with intense research dedicated to reconstructing it, showcasing a remarkable linguistic achievement. The video explores the philosophy of language, tracing its history from ancient philosophers like Plato to modern critics like Dante Alighieri, who advocated for the dignification of vernacular language. Linguistic evolution also involves historical-comparative analysis, which led to the development of phonetic laws like Grimm's Law and Verner's Law.


Sir William Jones and the Study of Sanskrit

Sir William Jones arrived in Calcutta in 1783 to take a position as a judge in the superior court of the British East India Company. As a hobbyist linguist, he started studying the ancient language called Sanskrit and noticed similarities with two other ancient languages.

The Affinity Between Languages

In 1786, Sir William Jones delivered a lecture at the Asiatic Society of Calcutta demonstrating the affinity between three languages, a pivotal event leading to significant discoveries about the origins of languages. Linguistics is highlighted as more than just theoretical study but a quest for our primal communicative seed.

The Indo-European Language Reconstruction

Intensive research has been conducted to determine the origin of languages, with the Indo-European language proposed as the mother language. The reconstruction of this language, predominantly placed in the territory from the southern Euphrates to the eastern portion of the Anatolian Peninsula, is considered a remarkable linguistic achievement.

Philosophical Reflections on Language Origins

The philosophy of language began with ancient philosophers like Plato, who discussed the origin of language in his dialogue 'Cratylus.' Plato presented the conflicting views of naturalism and conventionalism, contributing to the foundations of contemporary linguistic theories.

Dante Alighieri and the Dignification of Vulgar Language

Dante Alighieri, recognized as the first modern critic, addressed the dignification of vulgar language in his treatise 'De Vulgari Eloquentia' during his exile in 1307. He advocated for dignifying the vernacular language, which was a pioneering concept in the context of linguistic development.

Comparative Linguistics and Language Laws

The study of language evolved with the historical-comparative analysis of languages, leading to the discovery of the Indo-European language as the ancestor of many Western languages. Linguists formulated phonetic laws like Grimm's Law and Verner's Law to compare languages by analyzing pronunciation and sound changes.


FAQ

Q: What pivotal event led to significant discoveries about the origins of languages?

A: Sir William Jones delivered a lecture at the Asiatic Society of Calcutta in 1786 demonstrating the affinity between three languages.

Q: What is the Indo-European language and where is it proposed to have originated?

A: The Indo-European language is considered the mother language and is proposed to have originated in the territory from the southern Euphrates to the eastern portion of the Anatolian Peninsula.

Q: Who discussed the origin of language in his dialogue 'Cratylus'?

A: Plato, the ancient philosopher, discussed the origin of language in his dialogue 'Cratylus'.

Q: What conflicting views regarding language did Plato discuss?

A: Plato presented conflicting views of naturalism and conventionalism in his dialogue 'Cratylus'.

Q: Who is recognized as the first modern critic advocating for the dignification of vulgar language?

A: Dante Alighieri is recognized as the first modern critic advocating for the dignification of vulgar language.

Q: What did Dante Alighieri address in his treatise 'De Vulgari Eloquentia'?

A: Dante Alighieri addressed the dignification of vulgar language in his treatise 'De Vulgari Eloquentia'.

Q: What were Grimm's Law and Verner's Law formulated for in linguistics?

A: Grimm's Law and Verner's Law were formulated to compare languages by analyzing pronunciation and sound changes.

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