Early Historical and Comparative Studies

Languages studies date back to at least Greek and Roman antiquity. Scientific language study, however, is of a comparatively recent vintage. The first decisive event of far-reaching consequences for the establishment of historical and comparative language studies was the proclamation of Sir William Jones (1746–1794), made in 1786 and published two years later. The framework for comparative and historical linguistics subsequently created at the beginning of the 19th century by scholars like Franz Bopp, Rasmus Rask, and Jacob Grimm was by no means without influential antecedents. During the previous several centuries, linguists from various European countries contributed greatly, through their labors and their insights, to the foundations upon which the achievements of the 19th century and beyond could be solidly built. This article provides an overview of some of the pioneering forces at work.