We get the words in our language from many sources. The English language
today is a development of the early Anglo-Saxon. England was called
originally Angle-land which was gradually shortened into England. So we
have in our language what are called pure English or Anglo-Saxon words.
These words form the bulk of our every day vocabulary, being simple,
strong, forceful words. Then we have in our English many foreign words
which we have adopted from other languages. There are many Latin and
Greek words; these we use in our more elegant speech or writing.
There is an interesting bit written by Sir Walter Scott in his novel of
early England, "Ivanhoe," which illustrates the manner in which words
have come into our language and also the difference in speech which
marks the working class and the exploiting class. As those who do the
work of the world rid themselves of the parasites who have appropriated
the produce of their labor, through the ages, they will demand that
which belongs to them--the best--the best in language as in everything
else.
"'... I advise thee to call off Fangs and leave the herd to their
destiny, which, whether they meet with bands of traveling soldiers, or
of outlaws, or of wandering pilgrims, can be little else than to be
converted into Normans before morning, to thy no small ease and
comfort.'
"'The swine turned into Normans to my comfort!' quoth Gurth. 'Expound
that to me, Wamba, for my brain is too dull and my mind too vexed to
read riddles.'
"'Why, how call you these grunting brutes running about on their four
legs?' demanded Wamba.
"'Swine, fool, swine,' said the herd; 'every fool knows that.'
"'And swine is good Saxon,' said the jester; 'but how call you the sow
when she is flayed, and drawn, and quartered, and hung by the heels
like a traitor?'
"'Pork,' answered the swineherd.
"'I am glad every fool knows that too,' said Wamba; 'and pork, I
think, is good Norman-French, and so when the brute lives and is in
charge of a Saxon slave, she goes by her Saxon name; but becomes a
Norman and is called pork when she is carried to the castle-hall to
feast among the nobles. What dost thou think of that, friend Gurth,
ha?' ..."
So you see even in words the distinction is made between those who
produce and those who possess.
But the day is at hand when those who work shall also enjoy. We have
fought for religious and political freedom. Today we are waging the
battle for industrial freedom. It is _your_ struggle. Study--prepare
yourself to do battle for your rights.
Yours for Freedom,