5G 
JOURNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
pooh theories. Language ; its matter and its form ; of presentive 
and symbolic words. The importance of the English language ; 
its gradual spread, and present extent. 
Definitions of the terms of the lecture. Of the scientific classifica- 
tion of languages, and the discovery of Sanskrit. The kinship of 
the various branches of the Aryan family proved by an examina- 
tion of their grammar and their roots ; of " lautverschiebung," or 
the dislocation of consonants ; of primitive Aryan civilization (from 
Peile) ; of the Semitic languages ; of the Turanian family, and of 
the Accadian ; the Isolating family. 
Terminations in the Amalgamating languages originally distinct 
words. 
Of the propriety of the term Anglo-Saxon as applied to the 
earliest stage of our language. Characteristics of Anglo-Saxon as 
compared with Modern English. Of so-called irregularities in 
English grammar; of "umlaut;" men, plural of man, not irregular. 
Of English double plurals (Ex. children). Dr. Murray's theory. 
Of " ablaut and reduplication." Of English causatives in ' ya ' 
(Ex. lay from lie). Of the Passive voice in English. 
Modern societies for the encouragement of the study of English ; 
recent works on the subject. 
Practical remarks : It was recommended on considerations of 
utility and historical accuracy to distinguish in pronunciation 
between such pairs of words as whale and wail, which and witch, 
whither and wither, &c. ; that in such forms as sang and sung, 
drank and drunk, we should improve on Anglo-Saxon by limiting 
the former to the past tense, and the latter to the participle ; and 
that the utmost endeavours should be used to keep alive the Sub- 
junctive mood. Of the love of finery ; of the love of exaggeration ; 
of slang. The possession of the English language a sacred trust, 
and our duty with respect to it. 
