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Abhandlung über den Ursprung der Sprache
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Abhandlung über den Ursprung der Sprache

work by Herder
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Johann Gottfried von Herder's essay, "Abhandlung über den Ursprung der Sprache" (1772), explores the origin of language, positing that it arises from human nature itself. Herder argued that language is not merely a tool to express pre-existing thoughts but is integral to the development of thought itself. He believed that language and human rationality evolved together, with the structure of language reflecting the nature of humanity. This perspective marked a shift from earlier views that saw language as solely a product of rational thought. Herder's work is considered a significant contribution to the philosophy of language and a precursor to Romantic thought.123

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4 Britannica Sources
  1. language - Historical attitudes toward language
  2. Johann Gottfried von Herder
  3. historiography - Johann Gottfried von Herder
  4. Eduard Hermann

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