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It has been a matter of great interest to many to seek the origin of language. The most
important theories are:
(1)
The Automatic Theory.
Different sounds correspond with different feelings,
and so originated language, just as iron when struck
has a note peculiar to itself. This has been satirized
as `The Ding Dong' theory.
(2)
The Onomatopoetic Theory. This theory is based upon the evident imitation in
such words as `splash' and has been satirized as
`The Bow-wow' theory.
(3)
The Interjectional Theory.
Certain ejaculations are natural to man in his
expression of horror, joy or surprise. This has been
satirized as `The Pooh-pooh' theory.
Neither theory is sufficient to account for the wonder of language.
We cannot avoid concluding, both from the use of language in Eden, by Adam's
evident ability to name the animals that were brought before him, and by the names given
to the first children born, that language is a gift of God to man.
The reader, as did the present writer, acquired his first knowledge of language not
from a book, not at a school, but in his home. What ordinarily takes several years in the
home training of a child, could be accomplished immediately by the Lord in His first
contact with Adam. The `miracle' is not in the fact that language is imparted, but in the
brevity of the period of instruction.
"We count it no gentleness and fair dealing in a man of power, to require strict and
punctual obedience, and yet give out his commands ambiguously. We should think he
had a plot upon us . . . . . The very essence of truth is plainness and brightness, the
darkness and the ignorance are our own." (Milton).
The words used by God have been chosen by Divine wisdom as the fittest to convey
His meaning without ambiguity to the mind of man. It is incumbent upon all who have
the privilege and responsibility of interpreting those inspired words into common speech,
to see to it that so far as it is humanly possible, the same clarity be observed by them in
their work.
Rule #3.
Every word has a meaning.
It is the work of the interpreter to convey the meaning intended by the
speaker to the understanding of the hearer. Simplicity and directness
must be aimed at.