Neo-aristotelian grammar in 17th-century England: Bassett Jones’ theory of rational syntax

Joseph L. Subbiondo
University of the Pacific
Summary

In his Herm’œlogium; or an Essay at the Rationality of Speaking of 1659 Basset Jones intended to supplement William Lily’s (c. 1468–1522) popular 16th-century grammar, which had received the endorsement of Edward VI. Written in English and Latin, Lily’s grammar through its many editions not only set the standard for Latin grammars, but it also established the style for the first and subsequent grammars of English. Jones realized that Lily’s grammatical model, with its emphasis solely on the classification and arrangement of material according to the classic paradigms for conjugation and declension, ignored the philosophy of grammar which was necessary for an understanding of the relationship of language and thought.

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