The
English people during the first half of the 18th century, which is popularly
known as the Augustan age, developed a sense of order or uniformity under the
classical influence. This sense of uniformity was also reflected in the changes
of the English language. As we know that there were not proper forms of English
language. People wanted to fix and refine the rules of grammars, vocabulary and
verbs. That time people also took inspiration from Italy and France.
The
first half of the eighteenth century is commonly designated in histories of
literature as the Augustan Age in England. The principle characteristics of
this age which affected the course of the English language emerged early and
maintained their influence throughout the century. In England the age was
characterized by a search for stability. One of the first characteristics to be
mentioned is a strong sense of order and the value of regulation. Adventurous
individualism and the spirit of independence characteristic of the previous era
gave way to a desire for system and regularity. This involves conformity to a
standard that the consensus recognizes as good. It sets up correctness as an
ideal and attempts to formulate rules or principles by which correctness may be
defined and achieved. The most important consideration in the foundation of
this standard is reason.
The
spirit of scientific rationalism in philosophy was reflected in many other
domains of thought. A great satisfaction was felt in things that could be
logically explained and justified. The powerful new current of scientific
rationalism swept away the firmly grounded reverence for classical literature.
Not only in literature but also in language Latin was looked upon as a model.
It is easy to see how a standard having its basis in regularity, justified by
reason, and supported by classical authority might be regarded as approaching
perfection. We can say during this age the classical support combined with reason gave the model of the perfect taste.
Eighteenth-century English people were increasingly conscious of their own
achievements, judgment and thought that their own ideals could be erected into
something like a permanent standard.
Its
reflection in the Attitude toward the Language:
The
intellectual tendencies here noted are seen quite clearly in the
eighteenth-century efforts to standardize, refine, and fix the English
language. In the period under consideration discussion of the language takes a
new turn. Previously interest had been shown chiefly in such questions as
whether English was worthy of being used for writings in which Latin had long
been traditional, whether the large additions being made to the vocabulary were
justified, and whether a more adequate system of spelling could be introduced.
Now for the first time attention was turned to the grammar and it was
discovered that English had no grammar. In English everything was uncertain.
One learned to speak and write as one learned to walk, and in many matters of
grammatical usage there was much variation even among educated people. This was
clearly distasteful to an age that desired above all else an orderly universe.
Uncertanity
was not the only fault that eighteenth century found with English. It was
subject of frequent lament for some time the language had been steadily going down.
In its effort to set up a standard of correctness in language the rationalistic
spirit of the eighteenth century showed itself in the attempt to settle
disputed points logically, that is, by simply reasoning about them, often
arriving at entirely false conclusions. The respect for authoritative example,
especially for classical example, takes the form of appeals to the analogy of
Latin, whereas a different manifestation of the respect for authority is at the
bottom of the belief in the power of individuals to legislate in matters of
language and accounts for the repeated demand for an English Academy. Finally
it is an idea often expressed that English has been and is being daily
corrupted, that it needs correction and refinement, and that when the necessary
reforms have been effected it should be fixed permanently and protected from
change.
In
other words, it was desired in the eighteenth century to give the English
language a polished, rational, and permanent form.
To
sum up, Eighteenth-century attempts to
codify the English language and to direct its course fall under three main
heads:(1) to reduce the language to rule and set up a standard of correct
usage; (2) to refine it - that is, to remove supposed defects and introduce
certain improvements; and (3) to fix it permanently in the desired form.
Reference:
A
History of the English Language. Baugh, Albert C., and Thomas Cable. 4th ed. Englewood
Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1993.
