JoLMA The Journal for the Philosophy of Language, Mind and the Arts

Journal | JoLMA
Monographic journal issue | 2 | 2 | 2021
Research Article | Leibniz’s Last Letter on Linguistic Matters

Leibniz’s Last Letter on Linguistic Matters

Abstract

We reproduce in what follows the last writing published in life by G.W. Leibniz (1646-1716) on linguistic topics. Together with other works by scholars of the time, Leibniz’s essay served as an introduction to an important collection of versions of the Pater noster in many different languages (Chamberlayne ed. 1715). In his critical remarks, the philosopher not only summarises his main ideas about the importance and method of linguistic comparison, but also integrates them with interpretative insights from neighbouring fields, such as numismatics, archaeology, and the history of writing systems. The editor’s commentary gives information on the historical and theoretical context in which Leibniz writes and on the numerous authors and works mentioned in the text.


Open access | Peer reviewed

Submitted: July 12, 2021 | Accepted: Oct. 5, 2021 | Published Dec. 15, 2021 | Language: en

Keywords Pater nosterLinguistic comparativismWJohn ChamberlayneWriting systemsOratio dominicaGLeibniz


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