The History of English Podcast: Episode 4 Summary
"A Grimm Brother Resurrects the Dead (…language)"
Host: Kevin Stroud
Release Date: July 11, 2012

Introduction: Reviving an Ancient Tongue

In Episode 4 of The History of English Podcast, host Kevin Stroud delves into the intriguing story of how the renowned fairy tale collector, Jacob Grimm, played a pivotal role in resurrecting the dead Indo-European language. Building on previous episodes that explored William Jones's groundbreaking discovery of the Indo-European language family and the subsequent mapping of its descendant languages, this episode focuses on the meticulous work of early linguists in reconstructing the ancestral language, with a special emphasis on Grimm's contributions.

“In this episode, we're going to look at how early linguists actually began to reconstruct large portions of that original Indo European language.” (00:10)

The Birth of Comparative Linguistics in Germany

Stroud sets the stage by highlighting the surge of linguistic research in early 19th-century Germany. The fragmented political landscape of Germany, coupled with the influence of Napoleon’s conquests, fostered a burgeoning sense of German nationalism. This nationalistic fervor spurred scholars to explore and preserve native Germanic culture and language, distancing themselves from French influences.

“Jacob Grimm confirmed this when he wrote in a letter that all my works relate to the fatherland from whose soil they derive their strength.” (09:45)

This period saw the emergence of comparative linguistics, a field dedicated to comparing languages to identify common features and historical relationships. German linguists like Franz Bopp, Friedrich von Schlegel, and Rasmus Rask laid the groundwork, but it was Jacob Grimm who became the most celebrated figure by meticulously documenting systematic sound changes within the Germanic languages.

Jacob Grimm and Grimm's Law

Jacob Grimm, co-creator of the famous Brothers Grimm fairy tales, made significant strides in linguistics. Stroud explains that Grimm's most notable contribution is what is now known as Grimm's Law, a set of rules describing systematic sound changes from the original Indo-European language to the Germanic languages.

“Grimm looked at all of these systematic differences, and he concluded that the differences exist because the sound had changed within the Germanic language family.” (36:40)

Grimm's Law identifies specific consonant shifts, such as:

1. P → F
   Example:

   • Latin pater → English father
   • Latin piscis → English fish

   “Peter, pater, pater, and father. So, we can see the F sound in the Germanic languages where the P sound is in the other languages.” (18:30)

2. T → Th
   Example:

   • Latin tres → English three

3. K → H
   Example:

   • Latin centum → English hundred

4. D → T
   Example:

   • Latin decem → English ten

5. B → P
   Example:

   • Lithuanian dubas → English deep

6. G → K
   Example:

   • Latin genus → English kin

These changes were not random but followed systematic patterns that Grimm meticulously documented, enabling linguists to trace back and reconstruct the proto-language.

Mechanisms Behind Sound Shifts

Stroud delves into the mechanics of these sound shifts, particularly the P to F shift. He explains the physiological changes in pronunciation that could lead to such shifts over time.

“A P is made by putting the upper and lower lips together, and an F is made by shifting the lower lip backward, and instead of touching the top lip, you touch the top teeth.” (32:15)

He also draws parallels to similar changes in other languages, such as the Greek transition from phi to f, illustrating that such sound shifts were not isolated to the Germanic languages.

“We still have in English today a remnant of the same sound change that occurred in Greek during the time of the ancient Greeks.” (25:00)

Grimm’s Comprehensive Sound Shifts

Beyond the P to F shift, Grimm identified a total of nine specific sound changes. Stroud provides examples for each, demonstrating how these shifts manifested in modern English:

1. D to T

   • Latin decem → English ten

2. K to H

   • Latin centum → English hundred

3. B to P

   • Lithuanian dubas → English deep

4. G to K

   • Latin genus → English kin

5. Aspirated B to B

6. Aspirated D to D

7. Aspirated G to G

8. Vowel Shifts (addressed later)

Each shift not only explains the evolution of individual words but also illuminates the broader transformation of the Germanic languages from their Indo-European roots.

Reconstructing Proto-Indo-European

Stroud explains how Grimm's Law, along with subsequent rules like Werner's Law, enabled linguists to reconstruct the proto-Indo-European language (PIE). By applying these sound change rules in reverse, linguists could deduce what ancient words likely sounded like.

“Sound changes like Grimm's Law and Werner's law can be used both ways. They can show us how modern words evolved from older words, but they can also be applied in reverse.” (1:03:30)

He emphasizes the reliability of reconstructed words when multiple cognates from different language branches align, reinforcing the authenticity of the reconstruction.

“The more cognate words we have to compare, the more accurate the reconstructed Indo European word will be.” (1:04:50)

This methodology not only reconstructs vocabulary but also provides insights into the culture, migration, and interactions of ancient peoples.

Practical Examples of Grimm's Law

To illustrate Grimm's Law in action, Stroud presents several examples comparing English words with their Latin and Greek counterparts:

1. P to F Example:

   • Latin pater → English father

2. K to H Example:

   • Latin corpus → English corpse
   • Latin centum → English hundred

3. D to T Example:

   • Latin decem → English ten

4. G to K Example:

   • Latin genus → English genetics

These examples demonstrate how systematic sound shifts transformed the original Indo-European words into their modern Germanic forms.

“All of those words come from the same Indo European root word.” (1:04:10)

The Legacy of Grimm’s Work

Stroud concludes by highlighting the enduring impact of Grimm’s research. By establishing a framework for understanding sound changes, Grimm paved the way for later linguists like Hermann Grassmann and Carl Werner to refine and expand upon his theories. This collaborative scholarly effort culminated in a comprehensive understanding of Indo-European sound shifts, facilitating the reconstruction of proto-languages and enriching our comprehension of linguistic evolution.

“Thanks to the work of linguists like Jacob Grimm and Carl Werner, linguists could explain every consonant shift between the original Indo European language and the early Germanic languages.” (1:06:20)

Stroud hints at future episodes that will explore related topics, such as the history of the alphabet and further sound shifts, ensuring continued exploration of the fascinating journey of the English language.

Conclusion: Unveiling the Ancestral Voices

Episode 4 of The History of English Podcast offers a profound exploration of how Jacob Grimm’s meticulous linguistic research resurrected fragments of the ancient Indo-European language. Through Grimm’s Law and subsequent scholarly contributions, the episode illuminates the intricate processes that transform languages over millennia, bridging the gap between our modern tongues and their ancient origins.

“With those rules in place, linguists could now reconstruct substantial portions of the original Indo European language known as proto Indo European.” (1:07:00)

For listeners eager to understand the deep roots of English and the methodologies behind linguistic reconstruction, this episode serves as an enlightening testament to the power of scholarly dedication and the enduring legacy of the Brothers Grimm.

Join the Conversation

Kevin Stroud invites listeners to engage by rating or commenting on the podcast via iTunes and visiting the podcast’s website at historyofenglishpodcast.com.

“Until next time. Thanks for listening to the History of English podcast.” (1:15:00)