4440. LANGUAGE (Greek), Pronunciation.—[further continued].
If we adhere to the
Erasmian pronunciation we must go to Italy
for it, as we must do for the most probably
correct pronunciation of the language of the
Romans, because rejecting the modern, we must
argue that the ancient pronunciation was prob
ably brought from Greece with the language
itself; and, as Italy was the country to which
it was brought, and from which it emanated to
other nations, we must presume it better preserved
there than with the nations copying from
them, who would be apt to affect its pronunciation
with some of their own national peculiarities.
And in fact, we find that no two nations
pronounce it alike, although all pretend to the Erasmian pronunciation. But the whole subject
is conjectural, and allows, therefore, full
and lawful scope to the vagaries of the human
mind. I am glad, however, to see the question
stirred here; because it may excite among our
young countrymen a spirit of enquiry and criticism,
and lead them to more attention to this
most beautiful of all languages.—
To Mr. Moore. Washington ed. vii, 137.
(M.
1819)
