Summary
Herder's *Treatise on the Origin of Language* (1772) argues that humans, using only their natural abilities, were able to invent language for themselves. The book investigates the fundamental question of whether language is an innate human capacity or a divinely given gift, asserting that it arises from inherent human capabilities. It lays the groundwork for understanding language as a product of human nature.
The treatise explores the core question of linguistic genesis, probing the origins of human communication without recourse to external intervention. It prompts readers to consider the power of natural human faculties in the creation of language, establishing language as an essential component of human existence derived from within.
Key concepts
- Origin of Language (1772) — The central inquiry into how humans, using only natural abilities, invented language.
- Vocabula sunt notae rerum — Latin phrase meaning "words are signs of things," indicating the fundamental relationship between language and the objects it represents.
From the book
Snippet: Johann <b>Gottfried Herder</b> Michael N. Forster. <b>Treatise on the Origin of Language</b> ( <b>1772</b> ) Vocabula sunt notae rerum.1 Cicero First part : Were human beings , left to their natural abilities , able to invent language for themselves ? 2 ...