date

1831 Sept. 25 M Language 2
1831 Sept. 25 M

Language

2

Ch. Practical

Improvement

3

2

And by what means ? Answer - by clothing the discourse employed by him on each individual occasion, with all the several properties desirable on the part of human discourse; regard being had to the particular occasion on which it is so employed; these several properties being such as are subservient and contributory, to the several ends in view, for which, on the individual occasion in question, language is employed.

If, of these same properties, the above enumeration is complete, then so it is that, of every alteration held up in the character of an improvement, the effect, if that character does in any way belong to it, will be to invest it with those same properties - one or more.

91
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    Properties desirable in the information, for the communication of which language is employed: that is to say, whatsoever be the language by means of which it is endeavoured to convey it, the persons by whom, the persons to whom, the occasions on which, and the purposes for which, it is endeavoured to be conveyed.

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    1. Giving expression by means of a small as effectually as by means of a larger number of inflections to the idea in question.

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    V. Properties desirable in the matter of which language is susceptible.

    This will be determined by, and bear reference to the several preceding topics, viz. 1. Modes or forms; 2. Uses. 3. Operations. 4. Occasions.

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