171 
No. XLIIL—LANGUAGE, 
The only really satisfactory method of treating a language 
for anthropological purposes is to have a complete grammar 
and dictionary drawn up. As to the compilation of such, in 
savage languages, two suggestions are worth making. First, 
that the dictionary should be printed with the grammar 
prefixed, otherwise neither will be properly available ; second, 
that specimens of native compositions, such as folk-lore tales, 
poems, traditions, prayers, &c., should be taken down verbatim , 
and published with an accurate translation, with the grammar 
and dictionary. Where it is impossible to deal with the 
language in this thorough way, the fullest vocabulary possible 
should be drawn up, and sentences carefully taken down and 
translated word for word. The practice of judging of the 
affinities of a language by means of a short vocabulary of 
isolated words, without a guide to the grammatical structure, 
is to be condemned as loose and misleading. The missionary 
alphabet of Professor Max Muller and the phonetic alphabets 
of Mr. A. J. Ellis and Mr. Melville Bell may be used ; the 
former is here inserted (p. 173) for the use of travellers. 
(See “ Outline Dictionary for the use of Missionaries, Ex¬ 
plorers, &c.” Triibner and Co., Charing Cross Road.) 
Whatever alphabet is used, the one essential point is to use 
each character for one sound, and one only, defining the pro¬ 
nunciation of each by examples from well-known languages. 
For special sounds not represented in the alphabet, combined 
or modified letters maybe used. 
1. What sounds are used in the language ? and which differ 
from those of European languages ? and what sounds are 
they unable to pronounce ? 2. What expressive interjections 
are in common use ? and how are they like and unlike our 
own ? 3. Does the meaning of words and sentences depend 
much or little on tone, accent, or emphasis ? 5. Can a sentence, 
such as an interrogative or affirmative, be roughly written with 
musical notes to show rise and fall of tone ? 6. Are there 
