,a ,philosophicall ,,essay = ! ,,reunion
 ,,( ,,!  ,,languages1  ,,or1  ! ,art ( 
,kn[+ all by ! ,ma/]y ( "o4  ,,ox=d     
,pr9t$ by ,,h53 ,,hall = ,,james ,,good4
 #afge4  ,! ,pr9t] to !  ,,read]4       
,meet+ by *ance ) ?is +5u\s (f]1 ,i     
?\ght x might n be improp] s9ce ,i f\nd 
x 9 ano!r dresse1 to make x speak ano!r 
,language too1 :i* among ! mo/ cr$itable
 ( ,europe1 ha? n desi/$ f its claim to 
,antiquity3 ,!re are v few ,nations b h1
 at sometime or o!r1 laid 9 _! pret5ces 
to a supremacy = _! ,language1 & h boa/$
 an assi/ance f unsuspect$ reason &     
,au?ority3 ,b h[ev] v>i\sly !           
controv]sie ha? be5 manag'd1 ! mode/y1 &
 +5uity ( ?is ,au?or ha? r5dr$1 8       
designe m plausible1 = hav+ )\t any     
private reg>d 79 su* cases mo/ usuall to
 ! spruce & fl\ri%+ ,air ( 8 owne       
,native tongue7 made t noble ,language (
 ! ,romans ! ,basis ( 8 project2 ,& f9d+
 him ?r\gh\t altoge!r free f prejudice &
 p>tiality1 ,i ?\ght an anteview ( s    
excell5t & usefull1 a designe w\ld n be 

unacceptable to ! m +5i\s "p ( ! _w1 & t
 ,i ought n to neglect s faire an       
opportunity ( recomm5d+ to _!           
consid]ation t illu/ri\s dialect1 :i* z 
x is c]ta9ly ( all o!rs ! mo/ valuable1 
s to ! %ame ( ^! mod]n ages1 is ei!r    
exce$+ly impair'd or lo/ 9 its famili>  
uses among ^? :o *all5ge ! title ( !    
,beaux ,esprits ( ! times4 ,! aime !re=e
 ( ?is ,projector be+ to facilitate &   
exp$ite ! ,ma/]y ( ?is z well z o!rs1   
its survey may possibly appe> n altoge!r
 ungratefull if x be b 9 hopes to f9d   
?is inc\ragem5t t we %all he able to    
res]ve "s numb] ( ye>s f our usually    
tdi\s application to its /udy = o!r     
em95t uses1 & comm5ce m5  ,s*oll]s at a 
mu* easi] rate & 9 an e>li] age !n n[   
commonly practic'd2 ,i %\ld prev5t !    
,au?or if ,i %\ld ent]ta9e y ) any f>!r 
comm5dation ( x !n t he ha? tak5 = 8    
model ! mo/ cr$itable & plausible       
,language ( ! _w4 ,if at any "t y div]t 
y\r selfe ) read+ ,novels2 y w "h meet )
 notions t are bo? ,philosophicall &    

,airy1 & 9 ord] to ! ma9e designe = !   
mo/ "p purely sci5tifick & demon/rative2
 & aft] if all y %all ?9k t y h n misp5t
 y\r "t by obs]v+ some?+ t is ei!r a    
usefull or pleasurable ,i %all h my     
designe & ! ,au?or ! cr$it4  ,f>ewell4  
99       99       99       99       99  
,z ! ,k ( =reign ,languages ought n to  
be reput$ "o ( ^? va9 & useless         
curiosities t s]ve only to amuse ! m9d1 
b is c]ta9ly conducive to a ?\s& diff]5t
 ends2 s we ought n to ?9k x /range if  
our age1 :i* gives su* quall & secure   
judgem5t ( ! value ( ?+s %ew m ( passion
 !n ev] = x1 not)/&+ all ! difficulties 
t are pret5d$4 ,i am ( an op9ion1 t "o  
_c d ! _w a m acceptable piece ( s]vice1
 !n to inv5t a c]ta9 & easie way to     
become univ]sally acqua9t$ ) !          
,languages1 & to quit a subject f ^?    
intrigues1 9 :i* ! m kn[+ h at pres5t   
involv'd x1 ei!r f a pure impot5ce to   
dis+age x1 or possibly f a fond desire (
 a fre] brea? ( popul> ,air f ^? :o are 
ord9>ily mo/ tak5 ) :at !y lea/ und]/&4 

,?is designe be+ only a prop] ent]ta9m5t
 = ! mo/ criticall ( ! ,virtuoses1 ,i am
 ! m incl9able to expose to ! public1 ! 
project & pla9 ,i h =m'd1 be=e ,i       
intirely ab&on ! :ole to _! c5sure2 t ,i
 may at fir/ anticipate all mann] (     
reply1 & take advantage f ! lights ( !  
mo/ accompli%t & intellig5t p]sons1 if  
_! zeale ha? c\rage en\gh to make !m    
will+ to s]ve ! _w 9 _! love &          
communication4  ,! ,au?ors designe4     
,mo/ m5 be+ preposse/ ) two unju/       
prejudices aga9/ ! nature ( !           
,languages1 ?'"o1 t !y h n all ei!r     
resemblance or accord among !m1 ! o!r1 t
 !y only dep5d ^u ! incon/ancie ( *ance1
 & ! :isl+ toyi%ness ( cu/ome1 x might  
be ?\ght no matt] ( extraord9>y         
conc]nm5t1 if "o pret5d$ to succe$ 9 a  
/udy ( ?is nature by ! s+le ef=ts ( !   
memory1 )\t ei!r ! vivacitie (          
imag9ation1 or ! =ce ( reason be+       
int]ress'd4  ,b be+ n v well p]swad$ ( !
 agreeabl5ess ( ?is me?od1 9 direct     
opposition to x1 ,i h fa/n'd ! :ole     

designe 9 h& ^u ^! two propositions3    
,fir/1 t !re is a c]ta9 accord betwe5 ! 
,sev]all ,languages3 & t !re=e !y are   
atta9able by comp>ison4  ,secondly1 !y  
are unque/ionably f\nd$ ^u reason1 &    
!re=e t mu/ be made use ( 9 _! mutuall  
ref]5ce4 ,x is ^u ^! two f\ndations t ,i
 pret5d to e/abli% ! true me?od ( ga9+ a
 ma/]y ( ! ,languages1 mak+ x appe> to !
 _w by a s5sible exp]i5ce t ! m9d c z   
easily make reflections ^u words1 z ^u !
 ?+s !y repres5t3 ,imag9ation & ,reason 
be+ ! two faculties1 t c reflect ^u _!  
objects1 !y bo? w appe> 9 ! pres5t      
designe 9 _! uses suitable to _! nature1
 ! effects ( ,imag9ation %all be visible
 9 ! sev]all resemblances1 & ! inf]5ces 
t are !nce made2 & x w be ! worke (     
,reason to r$uce all to c]ta9 pr9ciples1
 ^u :i* ! argum5tative "p mu/ relye4  ,!
 fir/ "p ( ! ,designe4  ,= ! easi]      
ex]cise ( ,imag9ation1 ,i %all acqua9t y
 ) a me?od t w appe>e v naturall1 by :i*
 in/e$ ( consid]+ ! ,languages precisely
 9 !mselves 7z hi!rto ha? be5 usuall7 !y

 may be comp>'d "o ) ! o!r )\t mu*      
difficultie1 & at ! same "t _! accord1  
dep5dance1 & mutuall relation1 discov]'d
 ei!r f ! resemblance ( words1 !        
proportion ( _! scope or compasse1 & !  
con=mity ( _! expressions4 ,tis true t  
?is agreem5t1 & relation is n a little  
obscur'd by ! sev]all od con/itutions ( 
m5s m9ds1 t *ecque at1 & satisfie       
!mselves ) ! fir/1 & nak$ appe>ance )\t 
any f>!r inquirie1 b )all its pres5tly1 
& easily p]ceiv'd by ^? :o are happy    
en\gh1 9 a g5ius = su* k9d ( ,le>n+4    
,its some?+ l ! p>adoxes ,geometry      
propose? ^u ! relation1 & proportion (  
figures1 :]e we are mus'd at ! fir/     
draught1 & !re appe>es s little         
likelihood 9 !m t ! unexp]i5c't w\ld    
take !m only = ! tricks & :ims ( a      
melan*olique bra92 :]eas an +5u\s       
,arti/1 f ! mo/ naturall1 & simple      
notions gradually conducts ! m9d to a   
k9d ( ins5sible discov]y ( tru?1 & makes
 x see on a sudda9 :at x c\ld n expect1 
& t ) su* op5 assurances z quit t f all 

suspicion1 :i* b n[ _h sc>ce any face ( 
tru?4  ,kn[+ no o!r me?od !n ?is1 t may 
be prop] to make new discov]ies 9 !     
sci5ces ,i endeav\r'd to make :at use ,i
 c\ld ( x1 s f>r z my subject p]mitt$2  
,& s9ce amid/ ! sev]all resemblances ( !
 ,languages1 !re are "s s evid5t1 z     
necess>ily grance ^u ! mo/ unobs]v+ eye1
 ,i h s ord]'d my reflections1 t by a   
ref]5ce to ^!1 z models1 ,i might by    
degrees arrive at ! k ( ! o!rs1 :i*     
al?\gh res]v'd1 & sometimes m di/anc't1 
yet are nei!r less c]ta91 nor reall3 n  
unlike ! subalt]nate conclusions 9      
speculation1 :i* are n a jot ! lesse    
true = be+ f>!r remov'd f _! fir/       
pr9ciple4  ,?us tis t a ,language ) :i* 
we are already acqua9t$1 ei!r by !      
assi/ance ( ,art1 or ,conv]sation1 leads
 u to an intimacy ) ^? t 7 altoge!r     
unkn[n to u be=e1 & t _! relation       
r$resse? ! trea*]y ( ! memory 9 ! close 
& juncture ( "o ) ! o!r4  ,b t ,i may   
compasse ?is my designe ) lesse tr\ble1 
my greate/ c>e is to make *oise ( "o    

,language z a rule to measure by1 & a   
pr9ciple to r$uce all ! re/ too3 = to   
pret5d to comp>e !m imm$iately "o )     
ano!r1 z "s w\ld h x1 is to *]i%        
confusion among ^? ?+s t dem& ! mo/ (   
ord]4  ,! v5]ation t ,i h alwayes _h =  
antiquity1 made me ?9k at fir/ ( +ag+ = 
! ,hebrew1 z be+ 7= ought we "k7 !      
e>lie/1 ! mo/ noble1 & mo/ naturall     
,language ( ! _w & t f :i* all o!rs1 9 a
 mann]1 d]ive !mselves4 ,b x 0 n long   
be=e ,i began to consid]1 t ?is w\ld    
directly crosse ! fir/ pr9ciples ( my   
int5d$ me?od1 & appe> a k9d ( indeav\r  
to tea* an unkn[n ,language1 by ano!r1 (
 :i* we h ! mo/ imp]fect1 & sl5d]       
in=mation ( all4 ,! k9dnesse1 &         
incl9ation ,i ought to h = my own       
,c\ntry1 _h almo/ p]swad$ me to re/ my  
self !re1 & to make my native tongue !  
basis ( ?is univ]sall r$uction b !n !   
re/ ( ! ,europan _w 7:i* ,i h no reason 
to slur or contemne7 w\ld h z ill res5t$
 ! project1 z we did x 9 ! ,g]mans1 :o  
w\ld long agoe h *all5g$ ?is hon\r to   

!mselves4 ,i _h 9 ! end no o!r c\rse to 
take1 b to ?r[ myselfe ^u ! ,lat9e1 9   
:i* ,i luckily met ) all ! necess>y     
conditions t did easily1 & plausibly    
conduce to my design'd attempt4  ,to say
 ! tru? ,ari/otle himselfe1 a man ( a   
judgem5t 9 su* ?+s ! mo/ exact t ev] 0  
to take a measure f1 dem&$ b ?ree       
qualifications1 viz4 ,univ]sality1      
,c]ta9ty1 & ,proportion2 t x %\ld be    
g5]ally kn[n to all ^? t are to make use
 ( x 9 ! quality ( a measure1 t x %\ld  
be fixt1 & det]m9'd 9 its selfe1 & !n t 
x %\ld be proportion'd to all ^? ?+s1 to
 :i* x prescribes _! b\nds1 all :i*     
*>act]s d ) advantage comb9e 9 ! ,lat9e1
 & t ) su* propriety t !y _c be         
attribut$ to any o!r )\t "s sort (      
inju/ice2 = ! greate/ "p ( ! o!r        
,languages !y are det]m9d to ! ext5t ( a
 p>ticul> ,k+dom or ,c\ntry1 ! ,lat9e   
ha? no su* disadvantage ^u x4 ,x is to  
speak prop]ly ! ,language ( ,europe3    
,religion1 & ! ,sci5ces h m enl>g'd its 
dom9ions1 !n all ! conque/s ( ! ,romans2

 tis almo/ ! common ,idiom ( ! ,nor?1 & 
univ]sally kn[ne to p]sons ( bir? &     
education1 :o alone are presum'd to /& 9
 ne$ ( ! assi/ance ( =raigne ,languages4
  ,x dis[nes ! common imp]fection (     
o!rs1 :i* by nature be+ subject to      
*ange1 _c by consequ5ce1 s]ve = a c]ta9 
det]m9ate rule 9 all ages2 & if x n[    
survive ?r\gh ! l>ge ext5t ( its        
ent]ta9m5t1 x ha? mu* ! advantage (     
o!rs1 t are 9 a mann] deceas'd to ?is t 
is fixt1 & reta9d by a well assur'd     
cu/ome & if its be+ univ]sally kn[n     
all[s all p]sons to %>e its uses1 s its 
be+ /$dy1 & unalt]able1 secures x f all 
! unev5 *anges ( "t4  ,z to its         
proportion1 x 9 a mann] keeps a mean    
betwe5 ! ,anci5t & ,mod]n ,languages1 x 
is nei!r altoge!r s pure z ! "o1 nor s  
corrupt z ! o!r1 & s ) ! same ease is   
applicable to bo?2 & 9 e>ne/ is         
inf9itely ! mo/ comp5di\s1 x be+ f>re   
less tr\ble to passe f ! mean to an     
extream1 or f ! extream to ! mean1 !n to
 trace x f "o extream to ano!r4 ,h[ev]  

?is w\ld seem incommodi\s beyond all    
r$resse1 to attempt to r$uce all !      
,languages1 ei!r to ! mo/ anci5t1 or    
else to any "o ( ! mo/ mod]n1 because 9 
reality1 ! =m] h no m relation to !     
lat]1 !n ^! h ) o!rs ( ! same age1 :i* h
 be5 z s _m *annels to d]ive ,antiquity 
to u4  ,besides ! ,lat9 makes a fri5dly 
meet+ betwe5 ! ,ea/]n1 & ,we/]n         
,languages2 z to ! fir/ alone x owes its
 bir? & life1 s ! o!rs d to x4  ,x seems
 !n no m difficult to atta9 ! "o1 by    
/ream+ x up to ! f\nta91 !n to ga9 all !
 re/ by mak+ a l desc5t1 by way (       
resemblance to :at we obs]ve 9 nature :5
 we disc]n1 z well ! effect by ! cause1 
z ! cause by ! effect4 ,9 "o ^w1 to make
 up all ! diff]5ces t may arise ab\t !  
supremacie ( ! ,languages1 ,i consid] ! 
,lat9 "u ?ree diff]5t reg>ds1 z !       
daught] ( ! ,languages ( ! ,ea/1 z ! ,"m
 ( ^? 9 ! ,we/1 & z ! ,si/] ( ! m       
,nor!rne4  ,z x is abundantly copi\s1 & 
ri*1 hav+ be5 ref9d1 & improv'd = m !n  
#cjjj ye>s by an inf9ite v>iety (       

nations1 ) ^: spoyls x is n[ inve/$1 s x
 may h a v great numb] ( resemblances1  
"u :i* ) little difficultie x w admit ( 
a ref]5ce to all ! re/4 ,= 9 conclusion1
 to r$uce all to ! mo/ ref9'd1 & polite 
,language1 is n :at ,i pret5d to2 !     
,b>b>\s /ile ( ! anci5t ,romans w d me z
 mu* s]vice1 z ! qua9tnesse1 & elegance 
( ,cic]o2 ! ,lat9 ( ! decl9+ ,empire1   
s9ce ! irruptions ( ! ,nor!rn ,nations1 
may be admitt$ into ?is designe to z    
good purpose1 z ! language ( ,augu/us 8 
"t2 any s5se is ! same ( t ( ! ,sci5ces1
 :i* makes "o almo/ altoge!r di/9ct f   
:at is common & vulg>2 ! prop] names (  
,philosophy1 naturall ,hi/ory1 &        
,div9ity1 ^? ( ,physick1 & !            
,ma!maticks1 ( ,arts1 ,law1 & ,comm]ce2 
! names ( illu/ri\s p]sons1 p & places1 
( :i* ,hi/ory furni%e? u ) a plausible  
acc\nt1 w af=d me no lesse assi/ance on 
?is occasion1 !n ! names ( ?+s t are mo/
 common4  ,aft] hav+ made *oice ( a     
,language 9 ord] to ! design1 ,i am 9 ! 
next place to det]m9e my self to a c]ta9

 numb] ( !m1 ! reunion ( :i* may be     
ju/ly ?\ght a mode/ & reasonable        
attempt2 = z !re are "s1 ! k ( :i* w be 
( v little use2 s ,i am oblig$ to       
prescribe "s b\nds to a designe t w\ld  
lead me to some?+ indet]m9'd1 & inf9ite1
 & )all ,i suspect ! inl>gem5t bo? (    
m9d1 & memory to compasse all2          
especially consid]+ ! consequ5ce ( "s to
 be indiff]5t1 nei!r t ( ,biscany1 nor !
 l[] ,brettaigne %\ld 9 my op9ion mu*   
afflict any mans bra9e1 nor d ,i believe
 t !re are _m m 9 ! _w int]e/ = !m1 !n  
!re are = ! dialect ( ,f9l& or ,frizl&1 
or ! ,b>b>\s jangl+ ( ! ,negroes &      
,savages4 ,9 ! *oise t ,i 0 to make ,i  
c\ld n b give ! pref]5ce to ^? ( !      
greate/ cr$it & repute1 took "s ,pr9ce  
7excuse ! allusion7 :o hav+ laid 8      
design to reunite all ! ,k+domes ( ! _w1
 began 8 conque/ ^u ^? ,nations t 7 mo/ 
=midable & r5[n'd1 f an appreh5sion t ! 
re/ 9 a little "t w\ld be less able to  
make any opposition4  ,z ,i am n ( an   
hum\r to attempt any ?+ )\t an          

inc\ragem5t f reason2 or to give my     
selfe any tr\ble ?r\gh a k9d ( caprice1 
purely to gratifie my curiositie2       
,religion1 ,/ate1 & ! ,sci5ces are !    
?ree gr& rules f :i* ,i make a judgem5t 
:at ,languages are really ! mo/         
important & noble2 ,i h only !re=e      
select$ su* z ,europe may use to ! be/  
advantage1 ei!r = ! def5ce ( ! ,*ur*1 ! 
good ( ! ,/ate1 ! advancem5t ( !        
,sci5ces1 or ! p]fection ( ! mo/        
laudable ,arts4 ,x is = ?is end t ,i h  
ent]ta9$ 9 my designe all ! ,languages t
 conc]ne ,religion1 & make a p>ticul>   
m5tion ( su* z furni% u ) orig9all      
texts1 & ! mo/ au!ntick translations ( !
 ,bible1 be+ ( no mean consequ5ce t[>ds 
! fai?full int]pretation ( our sacr$    
,records1 & ! confirmation ( ! ,articles
 ( our ,cre$4  ,i am 9 ! next place     
oblig$ to f9d a place = su* z conc]n &  
relate to ,/ate affaires1 ! mo/ r5[n$   
,empires1 ,k+domes1 & w>like ,nations1  
:i* may af=d a suitable ent]ta9m5t = all
 sorts ( p1 & )all v mu* conduce to !   

succesful managem5t ( =raigne bus9esse1 
! mo/ important negotiations1           
,embassies1 ! transactions ( w> or      
peace1 z well z ! mo/ hopefull designes 
( travell]s4 ,b above all ,i f9d myself 
conc]n'd = ^? t give u ! mo/ ref9'd &   
polite discov]ies ( wit & ,sci5ce1 & h  
be5 *]i%t & nur/ up to our h&s by ! mo/ 
kn[+ & +5i\s ( all ,nations4  ,i c h>dly
 believe ,i %all meet ) any incl9able to
 qu>rell me = ! numb] ( #bd4 t ,i h     
?\ght on = my designe1 s9ce ,i presume x
 no easie matt] = ! mo/ nicely curi\s to
 f9d a j occasion2 & al?\gh !re are none
 ( !m t are n unque/ionably d]iv'd f !  
same orig9all1 x be+ no great difficulty
 to conv9ce any well settl$ head1 t 9 ! 
propriety ( spee* !re is b "o "m        
,language3 ,yet to avoid confusion ,i   
di/ribute !m all into #g4 diff]5t ord]s1
 z !y seem to c>ry an imm$iate ref]5ce  
to ! ,languages1 :i* are ! commonly     
suppos'd orig9als3 su* are 9 ! op9ion ( 
! ,le>n$ ! ,roman1 & ! ,greec1 !        
,teutonic & ,sclavonic1 ! ,hebrew1      

,scy?ian1 & ! ,p]sian4  ,! ,roman       
,idioms are ! ,italian1 ,spani% & ,fr5*1
 :i* _c n[ be unkn[ne to any b su* z are
 %amefully ignorant2 ,i may adde        
likewise ! ,portuguese1 :i* al?\gh n v  
diff]5t f ! ,ca/ilian1 yet is n want+ 9 
its owne p>ticul> beauties1 & ha?       
receiv'd no mean accession ( use & hon\r
 f ! conque/s ( its ,k+s 9 ! mo/ remote 
p>ts ( ! _w4  ,to ! ,greec ,i %all r$uce
 its #c4 pr9cipall relations1 viz !     
,lit]all ,greec1 su* z we meet ) 9 our  
old ,classic ,au?ors1 ! vulg> z x is    
commonly us$ s9ce ! decl9+ age ( !      
,empire at ,con/ant9ople1 & ! ,coptique 
or gyptian1 :i* is b a rema9d] ( ! fam\s
 gov]nm5t ( ! ,ptolomies 9 gypt3 =      
al?\gh 9 its idiome !re be some?+ yet   
rema9+ ( an orig9all /amp1 ei!r 9 t its 
words seem to t\* ^u ! aunti5t ,language
 ( ! ,ph>aohs1 or t its inflection no   
way resembles ! ,greec1 yet ! ,empire ( 
,alex&] & 8 successors induc'd su* a    
confusion1 t ! ,greec ha? almo/ got !   
bett]1 & involv'd all ! less] rema9s (  

,antiquity4  ,"u ! ,teutonic ,i         
compreh5d ! ,alma9 or high ,g]man1 !    
,flemmi% or l[ ,dut*1 ! ,engli% & !     
,dani%1 :i* is to ?is day ent]ta9_/'d 9 
! mo/ ,nor!rne regions1 & may give u "s 
intimations ( a cle>] light !n any      
besides1 z hav+ yet c>efully secur$ "s  
foot/eps ( ! anci5t ,language4  ,!      
,sclavonic is accompani'd ) #c4 m       
consid]able dialects ! true ,sclavonic1 
! ,poli%1 & ,muscoviti%1 to :i* ! val\r 
( ! ,nations t speak !m h br\ght m      
reputation !n any o!r +5i\s p]=mances4  
,! ,hebrew ha? no less !n sev5 9 its    
ret9ue1 ! pure ,hebrew1 su* z we meet ) 
9 our ,bible1 ! ,language ( ! ,rabb9s & 
,talmudi/s1 ! ,*aldee1 ! ,syriaque1 !   
?iopick or ,abyss91 ! ,sam>itan1 & !    
,arabique1 :i* 9 our age ha? s inl>g'd  
its dom9ion1 t its ei!r spoke or        
und]/ood 9 ! ?ree p>ts ( ! ,old ,_w     
,asia1 ,africa & ,europe2 & ha? alone   
produc't su* a prodigi\s numb] ( books1 
t "o w\ld sc>ce believe h[ a ,nation s  
fam\s = its exploits 9 w>r %\ld h s mu* 

leasure to att5d to ! improvem5t (      
le>n+4  ,! ,scy?ian ha? two v illu/ri\s 
dialects 9 its tra9e1 ! ,turki% & less] 
,t>t>ian1 bo? :i* may s]ve 9 "s measure 
to acqua9t u :at ,languages are us$ 9 ! 
,nor? ( ,asia4  ,! la/ is ! ,p]sian1 :i*
 is n only univ]sally priz'd 9 ! ,empire
 ( ! ,sophy1 b a common ent]ta9m5t 9 !  
,c\rt ( ! gr& ,seigneur1 z well z 9 t ( 
! ,mogull1 :]e x is hugely valu$ &      
e/eem'd4  ,z ?is ref]5ce ( ! ,languages 
to "o ano!r w\ld be to litle purpose1 if
 ! less qualifi'd & accompli%t 7 n      
capable ( judg+ ( x1 s9ce tis = !m      
pr9cipally ,i am mo/ conc]n'd1 ,i       
believ'd !re=e x w\ld be necess>y       
intirely to retr5* all t /range v>iety (
 *>act]s1 ^: od & fanta/icall figures d 
/rangely div]t ! imag9ations ( ^?1 :o   
are n well qualifi'd to conceive !m4    
,nei!r d ,i int5d to hum\r my selfe 9 t 
va9e k9d ( o/5tation t "s affect1 to    
make ?is k9d ( writ+ "o ( t mo/ my/]i\s 
p>ts ( _! le>n+1 b h f\nd out a me?od ( 
express+ ! s\nds ( all ! di/+ui%+       

*>act]s ( ea* ,language onely by !      
,roman1 & t 9 a mann] z easie & dis+ag'd
 z x is accurate & new2 insomu* t !     
resemblances ( words1 :i* altoge!r      
disappe>'d "u ^? unc\? figures 7:i* l a 
veile int]cept$ !m f ! less cl>ify'd    
eye7 pres5tly face ! light1 !re be+ no?+
 left to int]pose betwe5 !m1 & a clos]  
consid]ation1 :i* not)/&+ %all n acquit 
me f my designe ( discov]+ an exp$i5t to
 decyph] ) ease all ^? sev]all k9ds (   
writ+1 & ( fix+ !m ^u ! imag9ation 9 su*
 a mann] z )\t difficulty c admit ( no  
confusion4  ,aft] hav+ remov'd ?is fir/ 
ob/ruction1 :i* ha? s long imbroild &   
ret>d$ ! k ( ! ,languages1 t ,i may )   
less tr\ble r$uce !m to _! fir/         
pr9ciple1 ,i %all run ne> ! same c\rse1 
t ha? be5 successively tak5 9 _!        
removall1 s f>r z any hi/ory c in=me u1 
^u :i* ,i pr9cipally lay ! /resse &     
basis ( my designe by produc+ su*       
argum5ts f x1 ! =ce ( :i* _c plausibly  
be elud$4 ,= ,i d n believe t any ( ! m 
curi\s w f9d fault ) me = fa/n+ !       

orig9e1 & alliance ( ! ,language ^u !   
same bottome ) ! beg9+ & fir/ society ( 
mank9d1 :o are obs]v$ nev] to %ift _!   
,c\ntry1 )\t hav+ _! ,language to be> _!
 ,arms & ,cu/omes company4 ,z ,i nev]   
?\ght fit to dispute x ) ! ,le>n$1 :y !y
 did n make use ( ! aff9ity ( !         
,languages1 :i* sometimes are ( cle>]   
notice to !m to discov] ! ! fir/ rise ( 
a p m remote1 & ) :i* !y are lesse      
acqua9t$2 ,s ,i hope ,i may be p]mitt$  
to make :at advantage ,i c ( ! fir/     
comb9ations & colonies to give a cle>]  
light to ! beg9n+s & connexion ( !      
sev]all ,tongues1 !re be+ some?+ ne> !  
same1 or a l proportion betwe5 bo?3 z = 
in/ance1 ,to make good ! op9ion (       
,dionysius ,halic>nasseus1 & ,qu9tilian1
 :o bo? pret5d t ! ,lat9 tongue is no m 
!n a ,dialect ( ! ,anti5t ,greek1 is b 9
 pla9 & easie words to give an acc\nt ( 
all ! little settlem5ts1 & ,plantations 
9 ,italy1 :i* = "s cont9uance ( "t 0    
only inhabit$ by colonies f ,greece4    
,^u :at o!r t]ms ,i h>dly und]/& ?is new

 project %\ld be surpriz+ to any1 x be+ 
n ! me] effect ( imag9ation1 or an      
humor\s ,idea1 nei!r w x mu* +age any   
sort ( p1 b only su* z c easily dislodge
 _! prejudices :5 _! owne lights %all   
assi/ 9 _! conviction1 & t f su*        
assurances z %all be mo/ free f         
suspicion1 be+ fai?full d$uctions f !   
hi/ories ( ! ,colonies4 ,b z x is       
impossible t ! ,languages %\ld n be     
liable to sev]all alt]ations & mixtures 
f ! diff]5t associations ( p 9 sev]all  
removes1 s nei!r is x to be believ'd t  
?is 0 done all on a sudd52 !re seems to 
be a resemblance betwe5 ! words t make  
up ! ,language & ,travell]s1 :o d n put 
(f _! accu/om'd usages & mann]s s soon z
 !y arrive at a new ,c\ntry1 nei!r are  
!y naturaliz'd1 b ) "t & by degrees     
become ma/]s ( ! ,air1 humors1 &        
qualities ( ! p]sons ) :om !y conv]se4  
,s9ce !n ?is corruption is b ( a        
graduall & int5sible gr[?1 !re is a     
necessitie1 = its m c]ta9 discov]y1 ( an
 ord]ly reflection ^u ! v fir/ beg9n+s (

 ! diff]5ces1 be+ 9 ! int]im v          
sollicit\s to prev5t a false retreat t  
might ei!r +age me too f>r1 or else 9 "s
 unluckie circum/ances1 f :i* x w\ld be 
no little difficulty to retire4 ,& ?is  
seems to be ! only way t ,i c\ld f9d out
 to scatt] a c]ta9 ,air & appe>ance (   
tru? ^u all t reg>d ! pres5t subject1   
:i* ha? no f>!r a probability !n :at is 
giv5 x f su* a c>efull mannagem5t1 t    
%all suff] no pass f "o extreame to !   
o!r )\t t\*+ ^u t mean :i* is z x 7 ! "t
 ( communication betwe5 bo?1 = x is f   
?is *a9 ( words & sequel ( alt]ations t 
all ! suitabl5esse1 & likelyhood ( ?is  
pres5t me?od pr9cipally dep5ds4  ,al?\gh
 9 reality !re is no reason to d\bt b t 
! ,fr5* is a corruption ( ! ,lat9e1 ,i  
c\ld n h[ev] v easily p]swade my selfe t
 ! ^w de*oir %\ld d]ive its selfe f     
cad]e ( ! ,lat9es1 if ,i did n p]ceive  
all its sev]all & di/9ct conveiances    
?r\gh ! ,alembic4 ,!y t fir/ corrupt$ ! 
,language ( ! ,romans in/ead ( cad]e    
made use ( cad]1 z ! ,italians d to ?is 

day1 :o commonly cut (f ! f9al v[els :]e
 !y obseve !m to foll[ ,liquids4 ,!y t  
came aft] proce$$ yet f>!r 9 _!         
retr5*m5t1 & f cad] =m'd ca]1 z !       
,spani>ds n[ use x1 by tak+ away ! lett]
 d accord+ to _! ord9>y cu/ome1 :5 x is 
seat$ 9 ! middle ( words4 ,!re are ano!r
 sort ( p yet m /urdy & blunt 9 _! =mes 
( spee*1 :o w\ld say ,c> or ,k] by a    
contraction ( ! two ,v[els into "o1 z is
 obs]vable among ! ,peasants ( ,france1 
& ^? ( ,pic>dy1 :o reta9 v mu* (        
,antiquity1 :i* seems to be agreeable ) 
! mann] ( spee* among ! ,anci5t ,fr5*1  
:o delight$ to %ort5 & contract _! words
 z mu* z possible1 t !y might make up a 
,language altoge!r z free z _! hum\r1 "s
 ( ! mo/ remote ( ^! w\ld in/ead ( ,k]  
pron\nce ,*] by a *ange ( t firm & surly
 lett] into "o m easy & s(t z we yet f9d
 x ,cu/om>y 9 ! rema9s ( "s ( ! ,anci5t 
,romans1 & !n aft] all by ! turn ( a    
,v[el into a ,dip?ong1 f ,*] is =m'd    
,*oir1 :i* n[ beg9s to be out ( date    
al?o its ,composit de*oir be /ill (     

plausible & comm5dable use4 ,?us 'tis t 
,cad]e1 ,cad]1 ,ca]1 ,c>1 ,k]1 ,*]1     
,*oir1 & ,de*oir make up b "o intire *a9
 & connexion1 yet all to v little       
purpose if any "o ( ! degrees by *ance  
%\ld h be5 want+4  ,= ?is reason al?o ,i
 consid] e ,language 9 its greate/      
p]fection1 yet = cle>+ its orig9all 9   
r5dr+ ?is sequel ( words m op5 &        
palpable ,i h be5 oblidg'd to make      
num]\s reflections ^u ! old] =ms ( spee*
 z well z ,or?ographie1 by :i* a bett]  
discov]y may be made ( all ! v>ieties t 
occure 9 pronunciation1 z also ( !      
sev]all m$lies & ,gibri% ( ! ,prov9ces (
 ,ea* ,empire t speak ! same ,language1 
b mo/ ( !m 9 a s+ul> fa%ion4  ,s t x is 
mo/ c]ta9 t t ,language :i* is mo/ qua9t
 & polite is v (t5 ! lesse pure & mo/   
debau*t1 if we make an quall judgm5t f  
its orig9all :i* is ! mo/ unque/ionable 
rule3 ,^u :i* acc\nt ! dialects (       
,prov9ce1 ,gascogne1 ,langu$oc1 & t :i* 
is kn[n by ! "n ( ! ,anti5t ,gauls is   
inf9itely lesse alt]'d & di/anc't f its 

orig9al1 !n ! ,languages ( ! ,c\rt &    
,nobility1 :o take a pleasure 9 rec$+ f 
! ,lat93 ,^? ( ,lomb>dy & ,naples are = 
! mo/ "p lesse corrupt ?an ^! ( ,si5a & 
,flor5ce2 ,al?o ! ,spani>ds h a say+    
among !m1 t ! ,catalonian & t ( ,arragon
 is commonly m pure !n ! ,ca/ilian t is 
m ,pomp\s4 ,& n to sp>e ! ,fr5* m !n !  
,spani>d1 if !y h reason to boa/ _!     
,language to be ! mo/ ref9'd & ,polite (
 ! _w1 yet _! ,neighb\rs might ju/ly    
returne ^u !m1 t ( all ! ,dialects ( !  
,lat91 !re is none m deg5]ate ?an !irs1 
=asmu* z its qua9tness arise? f its     
sweetnesse1 s t x is n atta9able )\t a  
/range desc5t f its pr9ciple4 ,?us le   
,capo ( ! ,italians1 le ,cabo1 ( !      
,spani>ds1 le ,cap1 ( ! old ,fr5* & le  
,kef ( ,pic>dy are all v>i\sly alt]d f  
,caput ( ! ,lat9s1 b none s mu* z le    
,*ef ( ! ,fr5*1 :i* not)/&+ claims !    
same ,orig9all4  ,b ?is is n all2 z !   
resemblance & connexion ( ! ,languages  
is n alwaies ! same b dep5ds m or lesse 
^u ! communication ( ! ,nations t speak 

!m1 ,s x's n necess>y t ?is me?od %\ld  
be inv>iable1 x mu/ admitt ( alt]ation )
 its subjects1 & accomodate x selfe to !
 div]sity ( ,tongues4  ,!re is mu* m (  
,art requir'd to r$uce ^? :i* only c>ry 
a resemblance 9 _! words1 & abundantly  
lesse = ^? :i* )all admitt ( an analogie
 9 inflexion1 ,& ,s9ce ! same words :i* 
all[ ( ?is accord may h x 9 sev]all     
di/9ct mann]s !y are n all 7if ,i may be
 p]mitt$ to say s7 nei!r ( ,k91 nor     
alliance 9 ! same degree2 _! relation is
 sometimes ne>]1 ,sometimes at a great] 
di/ance1 = we may by way ( analogie     
disc\rs at ! same rate ( ! g5ealogie (  
words z we d ( ! degrees ( consangu9ity2
 = if ! "o sort be rang'd "u ! same ,l9e
 ei!r direct or ,collat]all1 ! o!rs     
admitt ( a little deflection & d n      
exactly corespond2 "s are alli$ 9 !     
fir/1 "s 9 ! #b;d degree1 "s 9 advanc+ f
 ! bran*es to ! /ock1 o!rs 9 a desc5t f 
t to ! bran*es1 9 a ^w ?is accord is    
nei!r always imm$iate nor at all        
directly opposite4  ,i add besides t z  

!re are1 "s alli$ two or ?ree ways & t  
s9ce ! fir/ division h contract$ new &  
clos] relations1 s ,i confesse !re are  
o!rs t cont5t !mselves ) _! ,orig9all   
ref]5ce1 & t h sc>ce any o!r agreem5t   
among !m ?an :at dep5ds ^u ! common tie 
& union t !y h ) _! fir/ pr9ciple1 :i* 9
 reallity is no m !n ?is fam\s ,"m      
,tongue ( :i* "s make a my/]y )\t well  
und]/&+ :at !y say3 ,= al?o x ha?       
subsi/$ 9 its selfe be=e ! fir/         
confusion1 yet we mu/ n ?9k ( disc\rs+ (
 x at ! same rate1 nor put our m9ds ^u !
 h>asse ( receiv+ x4  ',tis no m n[ z "s
 fondly imaga9e a p>ticul> & di/9ct     
,language f o!rs1 s t !re is b "o way to
 rega9 x & ree/abli% x at lea/ s f> z is
 necess>y = a compleat execution ( my   
designe1 & t is to make a judici\s *oice
 ( all t is primitive & mo/ simple among
 ! ,rema9s ( ! anti5t ,language ei!r by 
consid]+ ! fir/ comb9ations ( s\nds or  
by a reg>d to ! e>ne/ ideas ( ! m9d1 t 7
 apply'd to ^! s\nds2 to ! end t we may 
ref]r ?i!r by a sequel1 all ! ess5tiall 

& fundam5tall words ( ea* ,language z to
 _! f\nta9e2 :i* admit+ ( divisions1    
runnes n[ 9 less] /reams :i* assume !   
names ( ,orig9alls2 because !y h _! rise
 f t gr& ,s\rce :]e ! fir/ inhabitants (
 ! _w +ro/ all4 ,s t x may be truly said
 ( ?is ,"m ,tongue t x is 9 no s5se a "p
 z be+ really e :]e ei!r 9 sums ( its   
divisions or 9 its effects & dep5dances 
some?+ l y\r v]tues ( ! elem5ts & !     
orig9all se$s ( ?+s1 t ,subsi/ n (      
!mselves b 9 ! mixtures t compose !m4   
,i %all possibly be wond]d at1 t be+    
able to accompli% all by ?is s+le me?od1
 ,i h n 9 ! int]im rec\rs to x1 :5 all  
o!r ways prove uns]viceable2 ,b aft]    
all1 ?o ?is me?od be p]haps m +5u\s & ( 
a m pr(\nd speculation1 x is n h[ev] !  
mo/ naturall & comp5di\s1 be x nev] s   
ref9d'd or accomodate to my designe1 &  
,i h>dly und]/& ! reason :y any man %\ld
 affect a crook$ & unc\? road to active 
at 8 purpose :5 ! /reight lyes be=e him4
  ,! second "p ( ! des9e4  ,comp>ison   
alone is n 79 ! op9ion ( "s7 suffici5t  

to accompli% ! pres5t int5tion1 h[ev]   
accurate x be2 if x want ! supports (   
reason1 x may rationally be suspect$ =  
be+ m airy !n solid1 & )\t inju/ice !   
same "* may be giv5 to "s ( ^? unusuall 
,*ances t sometimes produce ! mo/       
surpriz+ effects4 ,besides al?o !       
vivacity & =ce ( imag9ation be easily   
admitt$ into ! relations ( ! ,languages1
 & leaves !re =cible impressions1 yet x 
nei!r w>rants c]titude1 nor dislodge?   
confusion2 'tis reason alone t e/abli%e?
 ! m9d 9 its cognizances1 & cr$its all  
its conceptions ) ord]1 tis t alone :i* 
p]fects ! comb9ation ( all _! relations 
& agreem5ts accord+ to ! naturall       
connexion :i* !y h ) ! same pr9ciples on
 :i* !y dep5d 9 ,common4  ,t :i* seems  
to be ( greate/ mom5t is t ! pr9ciples  
be plausible & rationall & su* z man may
 lay a /ress on )\t suspicion or fe>1 & 
?is is t :i* 9 a s+ul> mann] ! pr9ciples
 ( ?is ,art *all5ge to !mselves1 be+ 9  
my op9ion inf9itely m s5sible !n ^? :i* 
,philosophy propose? "u ! *>act]s (     

uncontroleable tru?s2 ,i h !re=e tak5 !m
 all f ! v natures ( ! subject ( :i* ,i 
am treat+ viz3 f ! deflections & diff]5t
 reg>ds "u :i* ! consid]ation ( words   
may be manag'd2 w* may la/ ( all s]ve = 
an assurance1 t *ance ha? n all t       
,empire & au?ority1 t is giv5 x ov] !   
,languages2 & t x w\ld be no great      
difficulty to make x appe>1 t 9 !       
,languages !mselves !re are well fram'd 
& solid reasons1 = e ?+ t appe>s        
o!rwise1 & ha? be5 hi!rto suppos'd to be
 ! b>e effect ( ,caprice4  ,x may be    
p]ceiv'd by ! v effects !mselves t x w  
make up a sci5ce fully demon/rative1 &  
back't ) su* consequ5ces1 z may v well  
passe = compleat models 9 ?is k9d3 ,&   
above all ! scope ( its pr9ciples       
inf9itely %ort5s ! way )\t be+ at all   
oblig'd to make a desc5t to a ?\s& tdi\s
 & we>isome diff]5ces2 :i* appe> mu*    
bett]1 & 9 a m elegant mann] 9 _!       
pr9ciples !n 9 !mselves1 :i* is an      
inc\ragem5t = me to hope t a ,language =
 ! acque/ ( :i* we h =m]ly by a close   

application numbr$ sev]all ye>s1 w by   
?is means be made ! div]tisem5t ( "s    
h\rs1 or at mo/ b "s few days4  ,words  
be+ 9 ! op9ion ( all m5 b significant   
s\nds1 !y may be tak5 ei!r z !y are     
,natural s\nds1 or arbitr>y signs1 ,i   
w\ld say1 ei!r z !y are ! prop] effect (
 ! motion ( our organs1 or z ! lively   
repres5tation ( ! ?\ght ( our m9ds4 ,&  
s9ce !y make _! passes f "o ,language to
 ano!r !y _c well admit ( any alt]ation 
9 ?is _! transit b 9 ?ree respects2 =   
:atsoev] *ange be suppos'd x w          
necess>ily fall out1 ei!r 9 ! s\nds     
!mselves t compose ! words1 or 9 _!     
significations1 or 9 _! diff]5t         
modifications1 & its f ^! ?ree di/9ct   
reg>ds t ! g5]all pr9ciples h _! rise1  
^u :i* ,i h fa/n'd ?is new ,sy/ime ( !  
,philosophie ( ! ,languages4  ,t ,i may 
make my proc$ure m ju/ificable &        
artificiall1 ,i exam9e ) all exactnesse 
! diff]5t organs ( ! voice1 ! v>i\s     
motions ( ! muscles belong+ to ^!       
organs1 & ! admirable conc5t & accord ( 

^? motions2 & ^! ,i make use ( to       
demon/ratively expla9e ! precise numb] (
 all ! simple s\nds1 t ent] into !      
composition ( ! ,languages1 to discov] !
 nature & prop] pronunciation ( ^!      
s\nds1 & by consequ5ce to disclose _!   
ne>nesse & aff9ity1 ! resemblances ( "s1
 & ! disproportion ( o!rs1 _! accord &  
opposition1 _! ,sympa?y & ,antipa?y1 9 a
 ^w1 all _! comb9ations & mixtures1 _!  
divisions & di/9ctions1 _! ord]s &      
sev]all degrees4 ,f :5ce ,i conclude t  
all ! a/oni%+ & surpriz+ depravations & 
,corruptions t are met )all 9 ! words t 
"o ,language borr[s f ano!r1 9 *ang+ or 
9 transpos+1 9 add+ or retr5*+1 h _!    
basis 9 nature2 :i* nev] attempts any ?+
 b to ! purpose1 & ) a sollicit\s c>e1  
:5 to u x appe>s to h act$ ) an op5 &   
obs]vable neglect4  ,we may ,/udy       
,nature ^u ! ,lat9e x selfe :i* may s]ve
 z well = a model z x do? = a pr9ciple2 
,x w 9 ! fir/ place acqua9t u t ! ,v[els
 are almo/ acc\nt$ = no?+1 = al?o !re   
are "s ( !m t admitt ( easie *anges     

among !mselves accord+ z !y are m op5 or
 res]v'd1 we "k nev]!lesse t !re are    
none ( !m b :at may be absolutely %ift$ 
into ! place ( ano!r ( :at k9d soev]1   
ei!r imm$iately1 or by succession &     
degrees4 ,= a f9all confirmation ( ?is  
we h no m to doe b to make an easie     
comp>ison ( ! diff]5t d]ivative ( ! same
 ^w1 ! ref]5ce ( ^! ?ree ,cepa2 incipio 
& occupo1 to ! ,v]b ,capio may s]ve = an
 in/ance1 if we %all b grant ! tru? (   
?is pr9ciple :i* ! ori5tali/s h always  
suppos'd1 :o =m ! greate/ "p ( _! words 
f ! sole *ange ( _! ,v[els4  ,! same is 
n altoge!r all[able 9 relation to !     
,consonants1 :]e we mu/ n admitt        
indiff]5tly all sorts ( *anges2 ! sole  
aff9ity ( ! ,organs is t :i* mu/        
regulate almo/ all _! v>ieties3 !       
,labiall lett]s easily supplant "o ano!r
 b ! ,d5tall or ,l+uall ) m difficulty  
succe$ !m z be+ n ( ! same ord]2 ,= z ^!
 consonants1 ,m4 ,b4 ,p4 ,v4 ,f4 make   
ne] ! same s\nd1 :i* is modifi$ by !    
div]s =ce ( ! ,air op5+ ! lips aft]     

sev]all =ms4 ,s ! ,lett]s ,d4 ,t4 ,z4   
,s4 ought to make an ord] by !mselves1  
hav+ a p>ticul> relation to ! po9t ( !  
tongue1 :i* only by t\*+ ^u ! tee? 9    
v>i\s mann]s frames _! pronunciation4   
,b x is n a s+le & easie reflexion1 t c 
absolutely det]m9e :e!r two lett]s h    
resemblance & proportion1 because !re   
are "s ( !m t be+ made up ( ! movem5ts (
 sev]all organs1 maybe diff]5tly alt]'d 
accord+ to _! v>i\s resemblances1 s !   
lett] ,h4 c>rys n only ! resemblance ( a
 gutturall z x is pron\nc'd by !        
assi/ance ( ! muscles ( ! ?roat1 b also 
z an ,aspiration besides ! reg>d x ha?  
to ! :isp]s ( ! tongue1 & ! #f4         
,aspirates ( ! ,lips1 ,tee?1 & ,palate4 
,h[ev] if ! precipitance or =w>dnesse ( 
any1 ha? by *ance br\ght into use1 o!r  
me?ods ( alt]+ s\nds1 z !y h n s c]ta9 a
 f\ndation 9 reason1 s nei!r c !y be    
receiv'd )9 ! ,compas ( ?is ,art1 at    
lea/ be+ n e/abli%t by a regul> &       
con/ant analogie4  ,f ! s\nd ( words1 ,i
 passe to _! signification1 :i* 9 ! same

 dialect may be call'd ! s\l ( a ^w1 z !
 s\nd is its body2 to expresse x 9 o!r  
t]ms1 !n :at seem to relli% ! dry &     
unpleasant hum\r ( ! ,p$ant or          
,gramm>ian2 ,i suppose t words be+ !    
expressions ( our ?\ghts1 & our ?\ghts !
 repres5tations ( objects1 ! diff]5t    
significations t are giv5 to words1     
pr9cipally dep5d ^u ! v>i\s conceptions1
 t e ,nation frames ( ! same objects1   
agreeable to :at seems mo/ ne]ly to     
conc]n x4  ,?is +age? me to expla9e !   
intire sequel1 & naturall dep5dances (  
our ,ideas1 & ! mann] ( _! =m+2 ( :i* ! 
_w ha? yet receiv'd a v imp]fect acc\nt4
 ,9 ord] to ?is1 y may und]/& :at ^?    
objects are1 ( :i* we h prop] ,ideas1 & 
:at ^? are :i* we conceive by =reigne   
images1 & t we d n "n b 9 figurative    
t]ms2 :5ce arise? t alliance &          
resemblance ( our ,ideas1 & :y ! greate/
 %>e ( our words if ref]'d to _! fir/   
orig9all1 are b metaphors :i* repres5t  
objects to u 9 su* t]ms z are prop] to  
ano!r1 ) :i* x ha? "s agreem5t1 or ne]e 

relation1 & )all :at are ! gr& pr9ciples
 ( metaphors2 ei!r ( ,attribution or    
,proportion1 t d n only make op !       
beauty1 b almo/ ! intire body ( !       
,language4  ,our ,ance/ors t gave no    
names to ?+s1 b by a direct+ prud5ce1   
purpos+ to di/+ui% ! works ( ,nature &  
,art1 _h an especiall reg>d to !        
naturall resemblance !y _h ) any ?+ t 0 
mo/ kn[n to !m1 & t 0 already di/+ui%t  
by its "*1 or to any "o ( _! mo/        
prevail+ prop]ties1 or to ! pr9cipall   
action t di/+ui%t !m f o!r be+s4 ,!y    
made use ( almo/ ! same artifice1 to    
impose names ^u ?+s m expressive ( _!   
prop]ties1 by consid]+ !m only ) ref]5ce
 to _! op]ations1 ( :i* !y 7 ! imm$iate 
pr9ciples4 ,z = ! op]ations1 !mselves   
be+ n qually kn[ne1 nor qually obvi\s to
 s5se !y plac't ! same subord9ation 9 ! 
t]ms !y made use ( to repres5t !m1 t    
,nature ha? e/abli%t 9 our appreh5sions 
& cognisances4  ,!re be+ !re=e no?+ 9 ! 
_w ( :i* !y c\ld h fram'd a m di/9ct    
,idea1 !n ( ! motion ( bodies2 :i* is   

obvi\s to all ! s5ses1 we mu/ n wond] if
 consid]+ ,locall motion z ! fir/ &     
pr9cipall object ( _! k1 !y aft]w>ds    
gave no names to ! ,op]ations ( ea* be+1
 b su* z seem'd to express "s relation  
ei!r to motion 9 g5]all1 or to its      
diff]5t species1 or to "s "o ( its      
dep5dances su* z are place1 figure1     
situation1 ext5tion1 ,union & sep]ation1
 9 a ^w to all ! resemblances &         
agreem5ts t 9 any way or k9d relye ^u   
motion4 ,= if ,mod]n ,philosophy t      
,/udies ,nature by a clos] application  
!n =m]ly1 pret5d to a cle> & evid5t     
explication ( ,naturall effects 9 !     
ref]r+ !m all to ! ,sole movem5t ( matt]
 z _! true cause2 !re is mu* m reason t 
9 ord] to ! give+ an acc\nt ( all t is  
to ?is day pa/ among ! ,languages1 we   
%\ld h rec\rs to su* t]ms z are         
expressive ( motion1 s9ce x is n to be  
d\bt$ b t all o!rs t are r$ucible1 may  
be ref]r'd hi!r z to ! fir/ pr9ciple (  
_! signfication4  ,besides motion is    
all['d a f> great] ,scope & ext5t among 

! ,languages !n 9 ,nature = 'tis to t we
 ref]r our mo/ ref9'd & spirituall      
conceptions ,i mean su* z we frame ( !  
op]ations ( our s\ls & ! prop5sions (   
our wills1 ,s :5 we say t ! m9d or      
und]/&+ applyes x self to ?9k1 to       
conceive1 to disc\rs1 to expla9e1 to    
disimbroile1 to dis+age a bus9esse1 to  
discov] a tru?2 :5 we talke ( tr\bles1  
av]sions1 ( hurries & con/]nations ( !  
s\l1 to expresse su* actions z are mo/  
remote f s5se1 we make use ( su* ,images
 z are corporeall 9 _! fir/ orig9all1   
al?\gh = ! mo/ "p !y h lo/ _! prop]     
significance to assume ano!r t is purely
 figurative4  ',tis by _! ,pr9ciples ,i 
r$uce to naturall reason all imag9able  
ways by :i* words alt] _! primitive     
signification to imbrace ano!r1 ei!r m  
inl>g'd or res]v'd1 or nev] s little    
div]sifi'd ei!r 9 ,proportion or        
,alliance2 = tis no easie matt] = words 
to travell f "o ,c\ntry to ano!r )\t    
meet+ ) ! same casualties1 t use to     
befall =reign ,plants :i*1 are seldome  

remov'd into a new soile1 b deg5]ate &  
ei!r lose "s ( _! ,native virtue1 or    
acquire "s new4 ,b mo/ p hav+ met wi*   
?is g5]ally proposall1 to expresse at   
fir/ appe>ance1 :at !y ?9k ) z little   
tr\ble z is possible1 x !nce falls out t
 to +rosse a great deal ( s5se 9 a few  
words1 !y sc>ce all[ en\gh precisely to 
m>ke out ! simple ideas ( _! m9ds1 fitt$
 out to all _! sev]all resemblances1 !y 
t are mo/ simple 9 !mselves1 are        
commonly comp\nds 9 _! significations1  
nei!r is !re any "o ( ! lea/            
consid]able1 b :at is div]sify'd 9 ea*  
,language by a ?\s& diff]5t             
modifications4  ,f !nce proce$ all !    
me?ods ( inflexion1 d]ivation1 &        
composition t give be+ to ! mo/ subtle  
k9d ( ,sophi/ry2 all ! species & =ms (  
,n\ns1 ,v]bs1 & p>ticles t make up !    
oeconomy ( a ,language1 toge!r )all     
div]sity ( ,numb]s1 ,g5d]s1 ,cases1     
t5ses1 ,modes1 & ,p]sons :i* h m ( ,art 
?an at fir/ sight is imag9'd1 = !       
,cu/ome ( ,nations ha? n only au?oriz'd 

^! inv5tions to v>y ! ,cad5ce ( words1 b
 ) an admirable facility to expresse all
 ! deflexions1 by :i* an ,idea ( ! same 
object may be repres5t$ to our          
conceptions accord+ z x admitts ( a     
mixture ( resemblances1 :i* x may h ei!r
 to its effects or ,causes1 or z x is   
relat$ to ! sev]all e/ates1 :]e9 x      
subsi/s1 to ! diff]5ces ( "t or place1 &
 to all ! circum/ances t may accompany  
x1 ei!r )9 or )\t u4 ,z ! m s5sible     
diff]5ces ( ! ,languages pr9cipally     
consi/ 9 all ^! modifications2 s "o ( ! 
greate/ secrets ( ?is ,art is to "k h[  
*oisly to select & di/+ui%1 bo? 9 our   
ideas & 9 ! words t expresse !m1 t :i*  
is pr9cipall & ess5tiall f :at is purely
 accessory1 subtly to diff]5ce ! fir/   
ideas f ! second1 ! second f ! ?ird1 !  
simple f ! ,comp\nd1 ! primitive &      
,orig9all signification f its dep5d5ces 
& ref]5ces1 its modifications & div]s   
re/rictions1 9 "o ^w 7if ,i may s       
expresse x7 n to conf\nd ! habit ) !    
p]son4 ,= 9 a mann] ^! modifications are

 ! same words1 t ! habit is to ! body2  
?is new dresse t is giv5 to =reign words
 to fitt !m up alamode to ! ,c\ntry1 = !
 mo/ "p "t s disfigures !m & r5d]s !m s 
obscure1 t !y impose z well ^u our eyes 
z e>s1 & passe = origalls & ,natives ( !
 ,c\ntry1 al?\gh 9 reality !y are       
borr['d f our ,neighb\rhood1 & sometime 
f beyond ! seas4  ,to make a secure     
judgem5t !re=e ( ! orig9all1 !re rema9s 
no?+ b to consid] !m all1 nak$ &        
intirely disspoil'd ( all t tromp]y t   
disguis'd !m2 & t ?is may be done ) m   
safety we mu/ foll[ !m /ep by /ep 9 _!  
travels1 & espie out ! diff]5t ranges !y
 h tak5 & ! habits !y h %ift$1 to come  
?us viz>d$ & masqu$ to u4  ,^! are ! mo/
 inl>g'd pr9ciples & infallible ways by 
:i* ,i discov] ?is secret & mi/]i\s     
accord ( ! ,languages :i* )\t d\bt w    
appe> s mu* ! m admirable1 z have+ be5  
nev] to ?is h\r be5 believ'd t !y _h any
 su* close tie or relation3 ,b ^!       
pr9ciples may be apply'd sev]all ways1 &
 !re=e lea/ !y %\ld cont9ue und]m9'd1 ,i

 make x appe> by ! sequel1 :at 9        
p>ticul> mu/ be done 9 ea* ,language 9  
con=mity to its g5ius & prop] ,"*4 ,?is 
is t :i* oblige? me to make an exact    
inquirie into ! nature ( ^? ,languages  
,i pret5d to r$uce1 ,i d n cont5t my    
selfe infallibly to take my draught ei!r
 9 ! g5]all cons5t ( nations1 :i* are z 
(t5 *eat$ 9 _! ,ideas !y h ( ! ,language
 ( ea* ,nation z !y are commonly 9 its  
mann]s1 or f ! p>ticul> s5tim5ts ( ! m  
kn[+ or ,le>n$1 :o )\t any preoccupation
 ( m9d h /udi$ _! own ,native ,language 
) m !n ord9>y c>e4 ,b to make all yet m 
c]ta91 ,i pr9cipally =m my exam9ations f
 ! v hi/ory ( ! ,languages1 :i* is ! mo/
 quall rule we c take our measures f1 9 
relation to ! pres5t designe4  ,9 ord]  
to ?is1 'tis necess>y t we make         
reflexions ^u ! fir/ beg9n+s ( ea*      
,nation1 & t f o!r memoires !n su* ) :i*
 we are = ! mo/ "p furni%'t by !        
,criticks1 & s]i\sly to exam9e !        
cont9uall com]ce x ha? _h ) ! mo/       
consid]able ( its neighb\rs1 ! w>s1     

feuds & ,leagues ( its ,gov]n\rs ) o!r  
,pr9ces1 ! irruptions & invasions (     
,conqu]+ ,nations1 t h corrupt$ its     
,language z !y +ro/ its spoils1 !       
frequ5t ,colonies t ,conqu]ors h s5t    
?i!r besides its voyages at ,sea1 & its 
traffick1 ) ! mo/ remote plantations1   
,^! are ! m imm$iate causes ( ?is       
confusion & mixture4  ,x may p]haps )all
 be no mean pleasure to see ! basis (   
ea* ,language di/+ui%t f ! *anges &     
accessions ( "t or revolutions ( ,/ate1 
:at e ,nation ha? contribut$ ( its owne 
to inri* x1 :at ,religion1 ! ,gov]nm5t &
 :at ,sci5ces h communicat$ to x1 :at x 
reta9s ( ,antiquity & :at new acque/s x 
ha? made to retrieve its losses )       
advantage4  ,aft]all1 ?is is yet b !    
sceleton1 or at mo/ b ! body ( a        
,language1 ,its necess>y t ?is rude1 &  
indige/$ masse made up ( s _m diff]5t   
dialects %\ld be animat$ by "s secret _s
 t %\ld exp& x selfe ?r\gh all its p>ts 
& sev]all memb]s1 & r$uce !m to unity by
 communicat+ ! same air to !m1 & t ?is  

,_s or ,s\l %\ld be ! individuall       
pr9ciple ( all ! effects1 & s5sible     
*anges1 :i* make u easily di/+ui% "o    
,language f ano!r3 ,! ,temp]1 ,hum\r1 & 
,nature ( a p1 ! dispositions ( _! m9ds1
 _! g5ius & p>ticul> gu/s1 _! m g5]all &
 =cible incl9ations1 _! ord9>y passions1
 & su* s+ul> qualities1 by :i* "o       
,nation is rem>q'd & di/+ui%t f ano!r1  
are ! mo/ evid5t signs to discov] ! true
 g5ius ( a ,language1 because !y are 9  
reality ! imm$iate causes & ! v         
orig9alls aft] :i* ,i h copi$ all my    
draughts to compleat ! pres5t piece1 :i*
 9 my op9ion is n want+ 9 some?+ t is v 
,naturall1 ,besides ?is1 ! v mann]s &   
cu/omes ( ,nations1 _! ,laws & policy1 &
 _! publick transactions1 bo? ( peace & 
,w>1 are ?+s s univ]sally kn[n1 t !re is
 no ne$ ( any f>!r se>*1 h[ to be able  
to judge by proportion ( ! g5ius1 &     
*>act]s ( ! ,languages s securely1 z by 
t ( ! p t speak !m4  ,b z ! c>e ( a     
,nation to improve & advance ! ,arts &  
,sci5ces & o!r k9ds ( good ,le>n+1 is t 

:i* contributes mo/ to ! p]fection ( its
 ,language1 ,s tis ^u ! mann] 9 :i* its 
receiv'd1 & ! *>act]s ( its ,au?ors1 t  
,i *eifly dep5d to det]m9e1 :e!r x be   
mode/ or imp]i\s1 :e!r x relli% m ( a   
s(tnesse1 sweetnesse1 & delicacy1 ?an ( 
a c]ta9 ,noble brisque & g5]\s air1 :e!r
 x incl9e m to ! simplicity ( ,nature1  
or ! subtile ref9em5ts ( ,art1 :e!r x be
 polite to affectation1 or betray a     
c]ta9 neglig5ce :i* ha? its graces too1 
z well z its measures ( ,art1 & la/ (   
all :e!r x be n a little crampt 9       
attempt+ to be too exact1 or else bett] 
accomodate x selfe by its fre$ome f all 
re/ra9t4  ,hav+ discov]d ! g5ius & prop]
 "* ( ea* ,language1 ,i h fram'd ! mo/  
p]fect ,idea t is possible1 by way (    
analogie ) ! pr9ciples ( ! ,platoni/s1 )
 ^: me?od ,i 0 always z mu* tak5 z ,i am
 dissatisfy'd ) _! doctr9e4  ,?is ,idea 
be+ unmasqu$ s]ves me 9 ! sequell = a   
g5]all rule1 to e/abli% ! true & prop]  
reasons ( all t passe = s+ul> &         
rem>queable 9 ea* ,language1 ei!r 9     

relation to ! *oice1 ! mixture1 & union 
( s\nds1 ! =ce & significations ( words1
 or ! ,air & mann] ( expression2 ,= tis 
mo/ c]ta9 t all ^! ?+s are alt]'d       
accord+ to ! g5ius ( a p3 ,s ! ,spani>ds
 w\ld di/+ui% !mselves f o!r ,nations by
 _! haught9esse1 & affect$ gravity1 & _!
 words are easily und]/ood by a c]ta9   
pomp\s ,air1 t seems to bord] ^u gr&eur 
& ,maje/y3 ,on ! ,contr>y ! ,italians   
are ! ,nation ( ! _w t seems to be mo/  
fond ( its pleasure1 & its naturall1 t  
?is s(tnesse %\ld be communicat$ to _!  
,language1 & t all _! words %\ld brea?  
no?+1 b :at is sweet1 polite1 & ! mo/   
exact h>mony2 _! compositions admitt (  
no s\nds b su*1 z c flatt] ! ,e>1 !y    
suff] n ! conc\rs ( consonants1 ^:      
rud5esse may nev] s little (f5d !       
,organ1 b !y are extreamly 9 ,love )    
,v[els1 & (t5 all[ _! sequ5ces to make  
_! pronunciation m sweet & delicate4 ,= 
_! signification1 t !y might mixe an    
accord ) _! en]gie1 !y h h>dly any b :at
 are m or lesse figurative1 f a         

p]suasion1 t a ,metaphor repres5ts      
objects to ! m9d1 9 t mo/ curi\s &      
div]t+ mann]1 & )all !y are c>efull to  
make *oise ( none1 b su* z repres5t !   
faire/ images3 ,!y are no lesse         
sollicit\s to div]sifie _! words by     
agreeable modifications1 _! inflexion   
ha? v little uneasie 9 x1 x is all ( x  
qually facile & gay2 _! dim9utives are  
exce$+ly relli%+1 because !re is some?+ 
m ?an ord9>ily pretty 9 !m1 !y are ri* 9
 d]ivatives1 & comp\nds1 n only because 
_! pronunciation is m h>moni\s1 b also  
because !y expresse !mselves 9 a m      
naturall mann]1 ,9 "o ^w !y bani% e ?+ t
 may appe> +ratefull1 & are passionately
 9 que/ ( all t may conduce to !        
,sweetnesse ( _! ,language4  ,my s5se is
 mu* ! same ( o!r ,languages1 b because 
reason x selfe may be suspect$ by "s1   
especially if at any "t x appe> too j or
 plausible1 ,i 0 ! r conc]n'd s to ord] 
my in/ances1 t besides ! induction1 ,i  
int5d$ cu/ome & exp]i5ce %\ld support   
reason1 & reason %\ld confirme exp]i5ce1

 & )all ! examples are s naturally *a9'd
 ) _! pr9ciples1 & all ( !m s di/ribut$ 
9 _! prop] places1 t )\t s mu* z mak+ ! 
lea/ reflexion1 ,i imp]ceptibly comprize
 all ! fundam5tall & ess5tiall words (  
ea* ,language1 be+ will+ my selfe to    
draw all my conclusions f ! pr9ciples ,i
 h m5tion'd1 & to make all necess>y     
inductions1 )\t leav+ any ?+ ( tr\ble or
 disease to ! read]1 :o 9 su* cases is  
glad to be quitt f pa9es & inconv5i5ce1 
,i h "s hopes1 t a competition ?us      
diff]5tly made up ( ,hi/ory1 reflexions 
& ,criticismes support$ by pr9ciples1   
d$uctions & examples may contribute     
some?+ to ! agreeabl5ess ( ! designe1 & 
sett (f a subject t ( itselfe is dry &  
knotty en\gh1 )\t mak+ x m unacceptable 
by t mean & disreput$ me?od1 t ha? s mu*
 decry'd ! ,critiques1 & ord9>ily ha?   
giv5 a disgu/ to a sci5ce be=e x ha? be5
 all['d ! lea/ consid]ation1 besides t  
didacticque way1 is by no means prop] 9 
! pres5t case1 = z !re is little        
pleasure 9 be+ tak5 notice ( "u ! "* ( a

 ,s*oll]1 s ! only rem$y is to contrive 
"s way to come to ! k ( ?+s )\t ly+ "u !
 suspicion ( hav+ a ma/]4  ,?us y see 9 
grosse & g5]all1 ! :ole designe expre/ 9
 z few words z ! brevity ( ! subject    
w\ld p]mitt me2 ,& ,h[ev] rationall x   
may be 9 x selfe yet x wants n its      
adv]s>yes2 ,"s ) a great deal ( heat1   
plead t if ?is me?od acquir+ !          
,languages1 ha? any ?+ 9 x t is ,curi\s 
by way ( speculation1 x is h[ev]        
uselesse en\gh 9 relation to its        
practice1 s9ce ,cu/ome & ,conv]sation   
only 7say !y7 is ! great ,ma/] (        
,language1 & t we mu/ intirely relye ^u 
memory & ! assiduity ( con/ant &        
resolv'd indu/ry4  ,o!rs confesse t x   
ha? 9 e>ne/ its advantages1 b d\bt mu* (
 ! possibility ( its execution1 h>dly   
beleev+ t ! ,languages h 9 good tru? su*
 an accord & resemblance z ,i suppose !y
 h1 or t !re is a possibility = ! witt (
 man n[ to discov] x4  ,by way ( reply  
to ! fir/1 ,i confesse t "o ?+ ,i wond] 
at1 is t p]sons s kn[+ & +5u\s %\ld s   

highly decl>e !mselves aga9/ ! judgem5t 
9 fav\r ( ! memory1 ,i h a v great reg>d
 to _! qualitie & wor?1 b _c submitt my 
selfe to _! op9ion1 ,! only way 7z ,i   
imag9e7 to ,le>n ! ,languages1 & t 9 :at
 numb] we please1 to d x ) ease )\t     
tdi\snesse1 confusion1 tr\ble & losse ( 
"t1 & )\t ! common haz>d1 ( =gett+ !m ) 
z mu* ease z we acquire !m ) difficulty1
 & to be ma/] ( !m all 9 su* a mann]1 z 
%all relli% no?+ t is mean or n become+ 
a ,rationall man1 is 9 "o ^w1 to        
attribute m to ! judg+ & reflect+       
faculty !n to ! memory2 = if ! memory   
dep5d & relye only ^u ! reflexions ( !  
judgem5t1 we h no reason to expect mu* f
 its s+le ,conduct1 = h[ev] plausible x 
may appe>1 x w always be sl[1 limit$1   
confus'd1 & fai?lesse2 its action is n  
vigor\s en\gh to take u (f f ^? fatigues
 t di/a/ our mo/ likely ent]prizes1 &   
its ef=ts to weak & ,langui%+ 9 a little
 "t to execute a designe ( s l>ge a     
compasse z ?is2 be+ s det]m9'd z x is1 x
 is impossible x %\ld r$uce s great a   

numb] ( ,languages s di/anc't 9         
appe>ance "o f ano!r2 ,if at any "t x   
seem extraord9>y 9 an action1 its       
,species are soon displac't by _!       
multitude1 & :5 !y are rang'd 9 ! be/   
ord] imag9able1 !y cont9ue n s long )\t 
be+ ei!r effact by ^? t sup]v5e or      
disappe>+ ( !mselves1 have+ no?+ t c    
fixe & reta9e !m1 ,s t ! ,languages be+ 
( s va/ an ext5t1 !re is no reason t !  
memory alone %\ld be confid$ to = _!    
acque/1 unlesse we c\ld be cont5t to    
sacrifice an inf9ite space ( "t to !    
,sole k ( words1 :i* be+ s valuable z x 
ought to be to u1 may be imployd ) m    
discretion & successe1 ei!r t[>ds !     
cognizance ( ?+s or ! managem5t (       
bus9esse4  ,to satisfie o!rs1 ,i h no?+ 
m at pres5t to say to !m b t if !       
designe %all appe> to !m at fir/ sight  
ei!r fanta/icall or tem]>i\s1 !         
execution w soon ju/ifie me1 & p]haps   
conv9ce !m t x is n always rationall    
positively to passe a judgem5t ^u any ?+
 be=e a close & a n>r[ se>*1 & t we     

ought n ha/ily to despaire ( any ?+2 !  
ga9+ ( :i* ha? n be5 attempt$ all       
imag9able wayes4  ,la/ ( all1 z ,i d n  
beleeve my selfe to be deceiv'd 9 t :i* 
make up ! grosse & ma9 ( ! designe1 s ,i
 d n expect t all t ,i %all advance 9 ! 
sequel ^u ?is connexion ( ! ,languages1 
%\ld be receiv'd by all = uncontr\leable
 tru?s1 ( :i* ,i my selfe am suffici5tly
 p]swad$2 ,i am too well acqua9t$ ) !   
nature ( tru? to beleeve my selfe s     
succesfull z to h alwayes uncov]'d t 9 !
 mo/ imbroyld & ! mo/ d\btfull affaires 
( ! _w2 yet ,i confesse t not)/&+ t     
great respect t is due to x1 ,i h 9 "s  
cases lesse reg>d$ x :5 x did n appe> to
 comply ) ! capacityes ( ord9>y m51     
p]suad+ my selfe t conjecture well      
fram'd & adju/$ by a plausible ,air is m
 relli%+ to +5i\s p]sons1 !n an obscure 
& fa9t+ tru?1 ( :i* sort !re is a v     
great numb] 9 ! pres5t subject4  ,i     
propose !n to ! ,le>n$1 ?is new sy/eme (
 ! ,languages1 n z an inconte/able ,!sis
 9 all its p>ts b only z an ,hypo!sis1 n

 altoge!r irrationall & :i* besides ha? 
?is p>ticul> advantage1 t al?\gh x %\ld 
be ! false/ ?+ 9 ! _w 9 speculation1 x  
may at lea/ be all[able 9 ! practice1 ,&
 ,i hope to receive ! same fav\r t      
p]sons 7t 7 mo/ ob/9ately resolv'd aga9/
 8 ,hypo!sis7 grant$ ,cop]nicus by _!   
confession1 t let x be nev] s false x is
 h[ev] ! be/ accommodat$ to use &       
,a/ronomicall supputations4  ,,f9is4    
99       99       99       99       99