A. T. Robertson, Smyth, and "modern linguistics"

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Jonathan Robie
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A. T. Robertson, Smyth, and "modern linguistics"

Post by Jonathan Robie »

MAubrey wrote:I would trace the beginning of modern linguistic thought rather to Wilhelm von Humboldt...which means that I view ATR as falling within that period, i.e., ATR's grammar is precisely a modern linguistic contribution. Insights into language in general from the 19th century that were rejected or ignored in the 1930s through 50s are again receiving attention today..
Hi Mike,

Can you expand on this? What definition are you using for "modern linguistics", and how does it differ from earlier approaches? What is it about A.T. Robertson that makes him modern in your book? Is Smyth modern in this sense?
ἐξίσταντο δὲ πάντες καὶ διηποροῦντο, ἄλλος πρὸς ἄλλον λέγοντες, τί θέλει τοῦτο εἶναι;
http://jonathanrobie.biblicalhumanities.org/
MAubrey
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Re: A. T. Robertson, Smyth, and "modern linguistics"

Post by MAubrey »

Jonathan Robie wrote:Can you expand on this? What definition are you using for "modern linguistics", and how does it differ from earlier approaches? What is it about A.T. Robertson that makes him modern in your book? Is Smyth modern in this sense?
I follow Chomsky on this point: "modern" linguistics began with Wilhelm von Humboldt. He's the originator of the the idea of language being able to "make infinite use of finite means" that Chomsky loved to quote in his books and lectures. The concept of linguistic relativity (i.e. the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis) can also be traced to von Humboldt (at least according to Wikipedia). Beyond that the basic categories for semantic description, particular for processes of semantic change have their origin in 19th century linguistics, though not necessarily von Humboldt.

So then, from there, to the extent that old grammarians were using the approaches, models, or frameworks of linguistics that were available to them when they wrote, they are modern linguistic works. This is especially true of Robertson and Moulton, both of whom explicitly self-identified as linguists. It is perhaps a less so for Smyth, whose focus is as much practical/educational than theoretic-descriptive.
Mike Aubrey, Linguist
SIL International
Koine-Greek.com
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