Introduction to the science of language
But few words of the Preface are needed for a work which will sufficiently explain itself. It is an attempt to give a systematic account of the Science of Language, its nature, its progress and its aims, which shall be at the same time as thorough and exhaustive as our present knowledge and materials allow. How far the attempt has been successful is for the reader to judge; the author cannot do more than his best.
The method and theories which underlie the work have been set forth in my " Principles of Comparative Philology," where I have criticized certain of the current assumptions of scientific philology, and endeavoured to show their inadequacy or positive error. It is gratifying to find that my views and conclusions have been accepted by leading authorities on the subject, and I shall, therefore, make no apology for tacitly assuming them in the present work. So far as the latter is concerned, however, it matters little whether they are right or wrong; an Introduction necessarily has mainly to deal with the statement and arrangement of ascertained facts. The theories the facts are called upon to support are of secondary importance.
It may be objected that I have handled some parts of the subject at a disproportionate length. But it has seemed to me that an Introduction should give a survey of the whole field to be explored, and not neglect any portion of it for the sake of literary unity or easy reading. There is certain work which must be done once and for all, if the ground is to be cleared for future research and progress, and if well done need not be done again. The historical retrospect in the first chapter is indispensable for a right understanding of the "Science "of Language;" but in writing it I have tried not to forget that brevity is a virtue as well as completeness. It is the fault of the subject matter if the chapter seems unduly long.
Sayce’s Contribution
- Theories of Language — He surveyed competing ideas about how language began, weighing mythological, theological, and scientific accounts.
- Causes of Change — His famous triad: imitation, emphasis, laziness as the drivers of linguistic evolution.
- Dialectic Variety — He showed how regional speech differences emerge naturally.
- Physiology & Semasiology — Linking phonology (sounds) with sematology (meaning).
- Morphology & Syntax — He classified languages by structure, anticipating modern typology.
- Roots & Families — He mapped Aryan, Semitic, Egyptian, and other families, showing how inflectional systems differ.
- Agglutinative & Polysynthetic — His typology was one of the earliest attempts to categorize languages by grammar rather than geography.
- Comparative Mythology & Religion — He linked language study to the origins of myth and religious thought.
Why is this book still useful
- He helped establish comparative philology as a serious discipline.
- His work bridged linguistics, anthropology, and comparative religion, showing how language shapes culture.
- He influenced later scholars like Saussure and the structuralists, who refined his ideas into modern linguistics.
Practical Lessons from Sayce
- Causes of change → He shows how imitation, emphasis, and laziness drive shifts in speech. You can apply this by noticing how slang, shortcuts, or borrowed words spread in your own language.
- Dialectic variety → His focus on dialects encourages listening to regional differences — a practical way to sharpen your ear when studying Spanish, English, or any language.
- Phonology and sematology → He connects sound and meaning, reminding us to practice pronunciation alongside vocabulary.
- Morphology → Breaking words into roots, prefixes, and suffixes is still one of the most effective ways to expand vocabulary.
- Comparative syntax → Comparing sentence structures across languages helps learners see patterns and avoid mistakes.
The book details :
Author: A. H. Sayce
Publication date:1880
Company: London: C. K. Paul & co.