THE GERMAN AND DUTCH LANGUAGES.
Old Dutch the Basis of all Germanic Languages.--The Separation of
Dutch and German.--The two Grew Wide Apart.--Affinity of Dutch and
English Languages.--The Saxon Dialect.--Literary High German.
Before the revival of learning in Europe, the German and Dutch
languages pursued the same lines; but after that period they began to
separate, and have since developed into two distinct languages.
The German language is spoken by the people of the German empire; by
about 60 per cent. of those of Austria, and of about 71 per cent. of
those of Switzerland. The Dutch language is spoken by the inhabitants
of the Netherlands, and it is claimed to be identical, with only
slight differences, with the Flemish language spoken by the Low German
inhabitants of Belgium.
There was a time when Old Dutch embraced the whole of the Teutonic, or
Germanic race, and when the Dutch language included the Teutonic, or
German language in all its forms. During the Middle Ages, there was
little difference between the various Teutonic forms. Changes began to
develop with the revival of learning in Europe, about the fifteenth
century. After that time, Modern Dutch and Modern German became
divorced, and the differences which at first separated them, continued
to increase during a period of more than four centuries, until at this
day they have grown wide apart. The changes which have taken place in
their spelling, pronunciation, phonology, and inflection of words,
resulted in two distinct languages, each with a history of its own, and
two nations with little or no homogeneity.
When the two languages began to pursue divergent lines, the Anglo-Saxon
and the Dutch seem to have continued on parallel lines for a long
period, so that the affinity between those two languages is even
greater, than that which exists between the German and Dutch. The Dutch
language of to-day bears a striking resemblance to the same language
as it existed for three hundred years, beginning with the twelfth
century, during which period the German pursued nearly the same lines.
Learning was at a low ebb during those years, and the development of
all languages from their ruder forms to that of a more cultivated was
slow.
After the separation of the German and Dutch languages, the former was
composed of numerous dialects, many of which still continue in their
modified forms, but a few of them disappeared, while others became
widely separated from their conditions during the Middle Ages. One of
the principal dialects was of Saxon origin. It made more progress in
traveling away from Old Middle Dutch, than any of the other dialects,
and in the course of time it became the favorite dialect of the more
cultivated classes, and writers began to make use of it for literary
purposes. Other German dialects found very little difficulty in
adjusting themselves to it, so that German authors, historians, and
poets adopted it, and it was thus that it became the literary, or High
German language of all German speaking people. A chief influence which
gave great emphasis to the making of the Saxon dialect the literary
language of all Germans, was on account of Martin Luther selecting it
for his translation of the Bible. That gave it its pre-eminence over
all the other numerous dialects, and it will no doubt continue, for
all time the means by which Germans everywhere throughout the world,
will express the thoughts of their inspiration, in poetry, music, and
song.
* * * * *
Specimens of the same text, showing the affinity of the English, Dutch,
and German Languages.
ENGLISH.
1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the
Word was God. 2. The same was in the beginning with God. 3. All things
were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.
4. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5. And the light
shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6. There
was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7. The same came for a
witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might
believe.--St. John, chap. 1. V. 1-7.
DUTCH.
1. In den beginne was het woord, en het woord was bij God, en het woord
was God. 2. Dit was in den beginne bij God. 3. Alle dingen zijn door
hetzelve gemaakt, en zonder hetzelve is geen ding gemaakt, dat gemaakt
is. 4. In hetzelve was het leven, en het leven was het licht der
menschen. 5. En het licht schijnt in de duisternis, en de duisternis
heeft het niet begrepen. 6. Daar was een mensch van God gezonden, wiens
naam was Johannes. 7. Deze kwam tot een getuigenis, om van het licht te
getuigen, opdat allen door hem gelooven zouden.
GERMAN.
1. Im Anfang war das Wort, und das Wort war bei Gott, und Gott war das
Wort. 2. Dasselbige war im Anfang bei Gott. 3. Alle Dinge sind durch
dasselbige gemacht, und ohne dasselbige ist nichts gemacht, was gemacht
ist. 4. In ihm war des Leben, und das Leben war das Licht der Menschen.
5. Und das Licht scheinet in der Finsterniss, und die Finsterniss haben
es nicht begriffen. 6. Es ward ein Mensch von Gott gesandt, der hiess
Johannes. 7. Derselbige kam zum Zeugniss, das er von dem Licht zeugete,
und das sie Alle durch ihn glaubten.
* * * * *
The following version from Caedmon, on the Creation, is a specimen of
Anglo-Saxon in King Alfred’s time, about A. D. 885.
Nu we sceolan herian heofon-rices weard, metodes mihte and his
mod-geponc wera wuldor-faeder swa he wundra gehwaes ece dryhten cord
onstealde.
LITERAL ENGLISH VERSION.
Now we must praise the guardian of heaven’s kingdom, the Creator’s
might, and his mind’s thought, glorious Father of men, as of every
wonder he, Lord eternal, formed the beginning.
[Illustration]