Observations on Language. 



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we know ; because we find Abraham^ a descendant of 

 S/ie?n, a long time afterward understanding, and conver- 

 sing easily, with the inhabitants of Canaan, and oi Egypt ^ 

 who were descendants oi Ham. 



Antecedently to the building of Babel, '' the xvhole 

 earth luas oj' one language, and of one speech.'*'* The 

 Confusion of languages, in whatever manner, and in 

 other respects to whatever degree, it was accomphshedj 

 extended so far, as v/e are directly informed, that they 

 did not understand one another'' s speech, and were there- 

 fore obliged to desist from their favourite purpose of 

 building the city and tower, which they had begun. 

 Beyond this extent, the Scriptures give us no informa- 

 tion concerning the subject. 



If a person of intelligence should take a page of any 

 Y/ork ; and, as he read it, should insert two, or three, im- 

 portant words, or in many cases even one, in each sen- 

 , te nee, from a language, which he did not understand ; 

 lie would readily perceive, that the whole must be unin- 

 telligible to those, in v/hose language the composition 

 was written. As God does nothing more than that, 

 which is necessar}^ for the accomplishment of his pur- 

 poses; we should naturally conclude, that, if the disper- 

 sion of these builders had Ipeen the only object, intend- 

 ed by this dispensation, a change, amounting to little, or 

 nothing, more than 1 have specified, was all, that was ef- 

 fectuated at this time. But, as this event was the begin- 

 ning, and was intended to be the beginning, of the divi- 

 sions of language, which have since taken place, the de- 

 gree of this change cannot, without further evidence, be 

 warrantably confined within tlie limits, here mentioned. 



Should a project, said to have been originated in Rus- 

 sia, of Jbrming an universal 7iomenclature of human lan- 

 guages, ever be completed ; materials would be furnish- 

 ed for determining, exactly, their number and variety ; 

 and of course the degree, and the manner, in which 

 changes in them have taken place. Until this shall 

 have been done, the subject must remain in much ob- 

 scurit}^ 



The Second cause of change in language is the invol- 

 untary tendency of man to vary his Pronunciatioji. This 

 is done from inadvertency, forgetfulness, and a general 



