Philology : History of English Language
Question : Essay-type
Critically examine Jespersen’s observation that the Latin influence from the classical languages is something between a hindrance and a help.
Introduction
The dimension of Latin influence on English is indicated by Jespersen by a statistics. The Latin loan words beginning with ‘A’ in English vocabulary is about 25 percent of the total word count. Roman rule for about 5 centuries and richness of Latin language were the main causes behind this large scale Latin importation. Progress in all spheres of civilization in Rome led to the development of Latin. Nomenclature of science was entirely Latin and was adopted by the other European countries later on.
Anglo-Saxons had to learn Latin when they converted to Christianity. Hence forward the English had to turn to Latin whenever pursuing any stream of higher learning and literature. Naturally their language bears the mark of this Latin-reliance. Syntax, grammar and style of Latin exerted tremendous impact on English. Undoubtedly the model of an advanced language proved beneficial for English to follow. Influence of Latin contributed much to the development of English. But the harvest of advantage is sometimes spoiled by some troubles posed by Latin dependence. One cannot wink at the glaring instances of demerit of this foreign influence.
Latin in Developing English Language
English as a developing language had to count heavily on the wealth of French and Latin. One aspect of this richness is the stock of words. English borrowed Latin terms freely over quite a few centuries. Now it possesses perhaps the largest treasury of words. Synonyms for one word available in English are in number. On one hand it helps to add variety and beauty to expression. But variety sometimes creates confusion in people of the plebeian class particularly. Often the synonyms carry subtly different shades of meaning. Latin words are scholarly and they carry some special sense. English equivalents are meant for ordinary and everyday use. Latin ‘edify’ and English ‘build’ are synonyms. But ‘edify’ is applicable only in metaphorical sense while ‘build’ means construction in the practical sense. Latin ‘occult’ suggests something metaphysical while English ‘secret’ means hidden only. One has to be careful while using a learned Latin word. Common people cannot always follow such subtle differences. Sometimes they misapply words quite comically. Such wrong use of big words is known as Malapropism. The name comes from Mrs. Malaprop, a character in a play, notorious for ‘nice derangement of epitaphs’. It is a sarcastic commentary on common man’s trouble with big Latin words.
Bombastic Latin Terms in English Vocabulary
Learned people of the time were very keen on using bombastic Latin terms. They made the language difficult unnecessarily. Simplicity of English has been ruined by excessive use of learned words. Variety of words helps one to express his thoughts accurately. But often this variety is put to the decorative use only. Latin words ‘sonorous’ and ‘weighty’ brought into being a rhetorical style introduced by Dr. Johnson. This highly Latinized artificial style is known as Johnsonese. Often it is adopted by the writers to show off their learning. When one wants to mean ‘a great crowd came to see’ its Johnsonese version is ‘a vast concourse assembled to witness’. Such pursuit of grandeur, instead of enriching the language, makes it difficult only.
Borrowing Big and Short Latin Words
The big Latin words are often found pronounced differently. Jespersen mentions the word ‘phthisis’ which may be pronounced beginning with ‘t’ or ‘th’ sound. They are also difficult to remember. A foreign word is not associated with anything native in spirit. The short Latin loan words of the early period were in agreement with the spirit of English. That is why they were readily adopted by common people. But the later borrowings were made by the writers and scholars. Their chief target was to imitate Latin grandeur. They did not care for the spirit of English tongue. Latin ‘paternal’ or ‘parricide’ do not agree with English ‘father’. Phenomena or larvae as Latin plural forms appear abnormal in English. Latin specific terms are internationally recognized. But a country can form native terminology to make science popular. There is no reason why to an English man ‘sleeplessness’ should not be a better choice than ‘insomnia’.
Conclusion
Sonorousness of Latin words has its phonetic value. Poets like Milton prefer them for their sound effect. In prose they heighten the tone and add dignity to expression. But in inferior hands dignity may dwindle into verbosity. Influx of Latin has stunned the growth of the native elements in English. But their loss is compensated by the wealth guided by English. The size and merit of Latin contribution to English is stupendous. So it is said that it is something between a hindrance and a help.
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