Chapter 2

But here we must be pre-admonished concerning the _Letters_; that there is a great Latitude almost amongst them all, and that one and the same Character is not pronounced by one and the same Configuration of the Mouth, yea, in one and the same Language; thus [_a_] and [_e_] sometimes are sounded open, and sometimes close; also [_o_] hath its own Latitude, so as many other Letters also may have; yea, as many as are the divers Modes, by which the _Voice_ and _Breath_ can be Figured, by the Organs of Speech; but the most easie, only, and the most Conspicuous are received by all Nations, whose number never almost exceedeth Twenty four, and have certain Characters annexed to them: But seeing that these Characters are not every where pronounced alike, yea, one and the same Letter sometimes is variously sounded by one and the same People, therefore I have made choice of the _German Letters_, which are of my Mother-Tongue, and the most _Simple_ of all Letters, to be examined in this place: in as much as they are for the most part sounded every where alike, their _Vowels_ are very _Simple_, and agreeable to the nature of the thing, the _Diphthongs_ compounded of them, do retain the Nature of their compounding _Vowels_, because they are always heard pronounced in them, otherwise, than as it is in most other Languages, which they stile living ones; for sometimes they make their _Diphthongs_ out of the most _Simple Vowels_, as are [_au_] [_ou_] [_ai_] amongst the _French_, and [_oe_] and [_eu_] amongst the _Dutch_, or else they have such improper _Diphthongs_, that scarce either of their compounding _Vowels_ can be heard, such are [_oi_] of the _French_, and [_uy_] of the _Dutch_, not to mention more Examples, or else they are variously sounded according to their various Placings, so as if I were to teach some Deaf _French-man_, I would from the beginning teach him, not the _French_, but the _German Letters_, or else he would be plainly confounded. Nor is the state of the _Consonants_ in better case for the Pronunciation of some of them, is so very different, that there are scarce two Nations, which pronounce the Character [_g_] after the same manner.

But in the _German_ Alphabet, that which most disliketh me, is, their Order; which, in good truth, is none; because scarce two Letters of the same rank do follow mutually after one another, which would render the information of Deaf Persons to be so much the more difficult; wherefore I have reduced them into this following order, which seemed to me to be the most natural.

_a. e. i. j. y. o. u. ä. ö. ü. m. n. ng. l. r. h. g. ch. s. f. v. k. c. q. d. t. b. p. x. z._

To those who observe well, it will from this order alone, appear, that I have divided this whole Alphabet into _Vowels_, _Semi-vowels_, and _Consonants_. The _Vowels_ are a _Voice_ or _Sound_ modified by a various opening of the Mouth only, and are either _Simple_, or Uniform, as _a. e. i. j. y. o. u. w._ Or else they are mixt, which out of two, do so melt down into one, as that they are pronounced together, and are different from _Diphthongs_, in as much as their _Vowels_ are successively pronounced: Now these mixt _Vowels_, are ä. ö. ü. which some Nations either have not at all, or else do write them evilly; but of the manner of Formation, more shall be said hereafter.

The _Semi-vowels_ are a middle sort between the _Genuine Voice_, and a _Simple Breath_, and may at pleasure be brought forth in the manner as _Vowels_ are; and they are either of the _Nose_, or _Nasall_ such are _m. n. ng._ or else they be of the _Mouth_, or _Orall_, as _l. r._ _Consonants_ are a _Simple Breath_, not sonorous, yet variously modified, and are of three kinds:

For they are either pronounced successively, and may be produced at pleasure, as _g. ch. s. f. v._

Or are suddainly _shot forth_; which upon that score I call them _explosive_, as _k. c. q. t. d. b. p._

Or else being _Compounded_ out of two foregoing ones, their number is diverse in divers Nations; the _Germans_ have two; _viz._ _x._ and _z._

To this Division, in which I have had respect chiefly to the nature, and manner of pronouncing the _Letters_, may not impertinently be added, that those _Letters_ are formed mostly in three _Regions of the Mouth_, _viz._ in the bottom, or _Throat_; in the middle, or in the _Palate_ and _Teeth_; and lastly, in the utmost part thereof, or in the _Lips_: Hence it is, from every one of their Classes almost, are three sorts; one _Guttural_, another _Dental_, and a third _Labial_; but of these, more hereafter.

I will here prevent the _Readers_ who may object to me in the following Chapter, that this my Doctrin will be always lame, because all Deaf Persons, whom we would teach by the Tongue, Lips, _&c._ will never by their Sight attain unto these motions: But, besides that the Sight doth not give place to the Hearing, as to a quick sensibility, I affirm, that there is no need thereof, if once they have made but any Progress; for even we our selves do very often not hear in Pronunciation those Letters which I call _Consonants_, but we collect them from the _Vowels_ and _Semi-vowels_, commixed together with them: No Man, for Example, shall so pronounce _b. g._ or _d._ as that he may be heard at a hundred Paces distant. And this seems to me to be the principal reason why we can most rarely pronounce or repeat at the first blush, any word spoken in a foreign Language.

But before I shall unfold the nature, and manner of forming the _Letters_ in special, I judged that it was not here to be omitted, how that as all the _Letters_, yea also, and the _Vowels_ them-selves, cannot by any means be pronounced, as they are a _Simple Breath_, and not sonorous; for when we, for Example, do whisper somewhat to one in his Ear, so the _Consonants_ also, excepting those which I call _Explosive_, may be pronounced vocally, or with the _Voice_ conjoyned; and there are Nations which pronounce thus, as the _French_ do their _z._ and their _v._

I shall now treat of the _Letters_ especially, and will examine them so, as both the absolute Simplicity of the _German Letters_ may be manifested; and other Nations, from their Mode of Formation, may learn, how they ought to pronounce them; upon this account also, I shall add how improperly some Nations do render the same Letters in their own Language. Now in this Explication I shall observe the same order as I did in the Division of them, where readily it will appear, that _Voice_ and _Breath_ are according to a triple Region of the Mouth, triply figured or formed spontaneously.

Therefore the Simple and Uniform _Vowels_ are, _a._ _e._ _i._ _j._ _y._ _o._ _u._ _w._ and are formed after the following manner.

_a._ is a _Gutteral Vowel_, and the most Simple of all; the Key of the _Alphabet_, and therefore is by all Nations set first of all, excepting only (as far as I know) the _Abyssines_, by whom, as Ludolf testifieth, it is placed as the Thirteenth _Letter_. True indeed it may be pronounced by various Placings of the _Tongue_, yet the common, and most convenient is, that the _Tongue_ should be in its posture of rest; and then being gently stretched forth in the _Mouth_, it may only lightly, or not at all touch upon the utmost Border of the lower _Teeth_; if therefore the lower _Jaw_ be drawn downwards, and thereby the _Mouth_ be opened, that the _Voice_ formed in the _Throat_, strikes not neither against the _Teeth_, nor against the _Lips_, than a plain open [_a_] is heard, _e. i. j. y._ are _Dental Vowels_, or the _Voice_, which in coming forth, smites more or less against the _Teeth_; Hence it is that Infants, although they can say _Pappa, bo, &c._ yet can they not pronounce these Letters until they have Teeth, especially _the Cutters_, or _fore-Teeth_; and indeed [_e_] is formed, when the _Voice_, (the _Lips_ being gently opened), strikes against the _Teeth_ also moderately opened; now the posture of the _Tongue_ is such, that it somewhat presses on each side upon the _Dog-Teeth_ of the Inferior _Jaw_, for so the passage of the _Voice_ is made narrower, and the [_e_] much more clear.

_i. j._ and _y._ are the same _Vowel_, pronounced one while more short, and another more long, nor doth it stand upon any Foundation, [_i_] sometimes doth become a _Consonant_, but then is pronounced only more swiftly, so as together with the following _Vowel_, it can make a _Diphthong_; but [_i_] is formed after the same manner almost, as [_e_] except that the _Teeth_ are for the most part, more stricken, and the _Tongue_ put close to the _Teeth_, the passage of the _Voice_ is rendred more strait, whence a more smart Sound also breaks forth, which notwithstanding, can sometimes be hardly distinguished from [_e_] [_y_,] also is [_i_] pronounced longer then usually, or [_i_] doubled. _o. u. w._ are _Labial Vowels_, that is, such as are formed by a different positure of the _Lips_; also [_o._] and [_u._] are different from one another, just as much as [_e._] and [_i_]: But [_w._] is to [_u._] just as _j._ is to [_i._] for indeed _a. u. w._ are formed, when the _Teeth_ and _Tongue_ keep the same posture; but the _Lips_ are more or less contracted, even as the _Teeth_ are in [_e._] and [_i._] and so when they are less stricken, [_o._] is produced, but when a little more [_u._] or [_w._]; but we ought carefully to beware, whilst [_o._] or [_u._] are pronounced, least the _Teeth_ should be seen; for else a certain kind of a soft _e._ will be mingled; and instead of _ö._ or _ü._ there will be produced _o._ or _u._ These Letters belong to the _French_, _au_ and _ou_, when nevertheless they are nothing else but _Diphthongs_, also _oe._ of the _Dutch_ is our _u._ but very improperly.

Mixt _Vowels_ are _ä. ö. ü._ These Characters are peculiar to our Language, and were invented very ingeniously by our Ancients, though our Moderns mostly know not the reason thereof. Each hath its simple Character, because the Sound which they signifie, is only one, tho' mixt; for _a._ _o._ and _u._ are so pronounced, that the passage of the _Voice_, the _Tongue_ and _Teeth_ being conjoyned for to pronounce, _e._ becomes Straiter, and so _e._ together with the said Letters, _a._ _o._ _u._ doth constitute but one only, yet a _mixt vowel_. The _French_ utter them by _ai._ _eu._ and _u._ and in good truth, badly enough, as any one may see. The _Dutch_ want _[ä]._ _[ö]._ and express them by _eu._ but _[ü]._ by _u._ in no better a way than the _French_.

Concerning the _Diphthongs_ composed out of these _Vowels_, and which may be thence compounded, I judge it needless to say much; for they are nothing else in our Language than a more then usual swift Pronunciation of the Component _Vowels_, yet successive; and thus they differ from the _mixt Vowels_, but how improper and absurd _Diphthongs_ some Nations have, any one may easily gather from what hath been already said.

The other sort of Letters are _Semi-Vowels_, which are therefore so called, because that they be formed indeed out of a _Sounding Breath_ or _Voice_, but such as in its progress is much broken. They are, as I said, either _Nasalls_, or such as are pronounced through that open passage, by which the _Nose_ opens into the Hollow of the _Mouth_: Now the _Voice_ is forced to go that way, either when it flows to the _Lips_ shut close, and rebounding from thence, is formed into [_m_;] or when the _Tip of the Tongue_ is so applied to the roof of the Mouth, and to the upper _Teeth_, the _Voice_ is made to rebound through the _Nostrils_, and so [_n_] becomes formed; or lastly, when together with the hinder part of the _Tongue_, the _Voice_ being applied to the _Roof_, is so straitned that there is no Egress left open for it, but through the _Nose_, and so [_n_] is formed; which is a Sound, which hath no peculiar Character in any Language, as I know of, yet it differs no less from the rest of the _Nasals_, (_k_) is divers from (_t_) or (_p_,) if any one desires to try this by himself, let him endeavour to pronounce; having his _Nose_ held close with his Fingers, one of these three Letters, and he will not be able to do it.

Or else these _Semivowels_ are _Orall_, which are indeed such as are pronounced thro' the _Mouth_, but not so freely as are the _Genuin Vowels_, and they be two, (_l_) and (_r;_) (_l_) is formed when the _Tongue_ is so applied to the _Roof_, and the upper _Teeth_, that the _Voice_ cannot, but by a small Thred, as it were, get forth by the Sides of the _Tongue_; for if you compress the _Cheeks_ to the _Grinders_, you stop up the Passage of the _Voice_, and it will be very difficult for you to pronounce this _Letter_, (_r_,) is a _Voice_ fluctuating with great swiftness, and is formed, when the more movable part of the _Tongue_ does in the twinkling of an Eye, oftentimes strike upon the _Roof of the Mouth_, and as often is drawn back again from it; for thus the _Voice_ formed in the _Throat_, in its pronouncing, flows and ebbs back again, and is uttered, as it were by _Leaps_. Hence it is, that they, whose _Tongues_ be too heavy and moist, and less voluble, will never pronounce this Letter, whether they can Hear, or are Deaf.

Now there still remains the _Consonants_, or the Letters, which are formed out of an unsounding or mute _Breath_; yet, out of which, some of the _Semi-vowels_ may be made, as _g. ch. s. f. v._

As the _Voice_ is the common matter of the _Consonants_, the sharper part of which is (_h_) which is the most simple of them all, and out of which diversly figurated, the rest of them are framed: And they are either the _Sibilants_, which are formed out of _Breath_, which is somewhat compressed or straitned, that the passing _Breath_ breaks forth with a certain kind of _Hissing_, and with violence.

Here _I_ judge that we are not to pass over in silence, how that there are some parts in _Germany_, where there is so much of Affinity of (_g_) with (_k_,) as (_b_) has with (_p_) and (_d_) with (_t_,) or where (_g_) is pronounced like (_k_) but softer, so also the _French_ do pronounce their (_g_) before _a. o. u._ and _ou._

(_s_) is formed, when the _Teeth_ and _Tongue_ are so clapt together, that the _Breath_ cannot come forth, but by the _Spaces of the Teeth_: But (_f_) or (_v_) (which differs not from (_f_) in our Language) is formed, when the _neather Lip_ is so moved to the _Teeth_ above, that the _Breath_ must break out thro' the said _Spaces of the Teeth_; _ph._ is (_f_) being a Stranger in the _German_ Tongue, and differs from it only in the _Character_.

The other kind of _Consonants_ are explosive; which, _viz._ are discharged at one push, and as it were, in the twinkling of an Eye and are nothing else but _Breath_, which being got close together, either in the fore, middle, or hinder Region of the Mouth, is discharged on a suddain; and (_k_) is indeed formed in the hinder Region, when the hinder part of the _Tongue_ is moved to the _Roof_, that the _Breath_ cannot break forth, neither by the _Mouth_, nor by the _Nose_, but is suddenly let loose again: For thus the imprisoned _Breath_ breaks out, and by breaking out, maketh _k. c._ or _q._ which in _Germany_ are all the same Letter; in the middle Region are _d._ and t. formed, when, _viz._ the _Breath_, by help of the Tongues being moved to the _Teeth_, or _Roof_, and suddainly drawn back again, being more or less compressed, rusheth out by its own Springiness, and so _d._ or _t._ is made, which only differs, as _b._ and _p._ according to the more or less; in the outermost Region of the _Mouth_ are formed, (_b_) and (_p_) when, _viz._ the _Breath_ being compressed in the whole _Cavity of the Mouth_, they get out through the _Lips_ opened.

Lastly; here follows those _Consonants_, which are compounded of _Hissing and Explosion_, such are (_x_) or _ks._ and (_z_) or _ts._ which only are the alone anomalous or irregular ones of the _German_ Language; for if I may speak what I think; we might well enough want these _Characters_; yet I disapprove not of the use of them, but only shew what might be more convenient, _viz._ that _Voice_ or _Breath_ which is simple, might be expressed also by a simple _Character_, and on the contrary, that a _Character_, which is simple and only one, would signifie but one only _Voice_ or _Breath:_ But if the commodious use of _Short-hand_ may be objected, I would perswade to express all possible Combinations, of _Vowels_, with _Semi-vowels_, and _Consonants_, by simple _Characters_.

This is what I determined to say concerning the Letters, and their Formation; and seeing I am not willing to write a _Grammar_, what might yet further be said of them, I pass by; but what I have performed, I leave it to others to judge thereof, not so much to teach them, as by what is here presented to excite them, being desirous, as it becomes a young Man, to learn of them: I hope they will pardon my Errors, because of my Youth. Yet certain I am, had the ancient _Hebrews_, _Greeks_ and _Romans_, thus describ'd their Letters, there would have been no contention about the manner of Pronounciation.

CHAP. III.

_Teacheth the Method its self, by which such as are Deaf, and consequently Dumb, may learn to Speak._

What hath been hitherto said may enough suffice to observant _Readers_, inasmuch as the Fundamentals of the whole Artifice, are therein contained; but least the curious should complain, that I have only made their Mouth water, I shall ingeniously discover to them what in four Years time, wherein I have endeavoured to instruct some Deaf Persons, I have observed what is worthy, and most necessary to be known.

Now what I have effected by this my Method, especially to the Daughter of Mr. _Kolard_, a Merchant of _Harlem_, I can appeal to a great part of _Holland_, and universally almost to the whole City of _Harlem_, and to innumerable other Witnesses, of all Ranks and Conditions.

The first thing which I require in the Person I am to teach, is, that he be of a docible Wit, and not too young of age; than that the _Organs of Speech_ be rightly constituted in him; for stupid Persons are capable of no Teaching, whose Age is yet too tender; nor do they mind enough, nor know how Teaching will be for their Use and Benefit; but those whose _Organs of Speech_ are altogether unfit, they may learn indeed to understand others when they speak, and discover their own Mind by Writing; but they will never learn to speak.

Having therefore a fit subject, my first Care is to make him to sound forth a _Voice_, without which, almost all labour is lost, but that one point, whereby Deaf Persons do discern a _Voice_ from a _Mute Breath_, is a great Mystery of Art; and if I may have leave to say so, it is the _Hearing of Deaf Persons_, or at least equivolent thereunto, _viz._ that trembling Motion and Titillation, which they perceive in their own _Throat_, whilst they of their own accord do give forth a _Voice_; that therefore the Deaf may know, that I open my Mouth _to emitt a Voice_; not simply to yawn, or to draw forth a _Mute Breath_, I put their Hand to my _Throat_ that they may be made sensible of that tremulous Motion, when I utter my _Voice;_ then I put the same Hand of theirs to their own _Throat_, and command them to imitate me; nor am I discouraged, if at the beginning their _Voice_ is harsh and difficult; for in time it becomes more and more polite.

If I gain their _Voice_, which for the most part I do at the first time, I soon learn them to pronounce _Vowels_, _viz._ I bid them so to moderate the _opening of their Mouth_, whilst they do form a _Voice_ in their _Throat_, as I have said above, concerning the Formation of the _Vowels_; but that they may do that the more easily, I hold a _Looking-Glass_ to them, because they cannot from Sight alone imitate those diverse Motions of the _Jaws_, of the _Tongue_, and of the _Lips_, unless they had oftentimes tried it before a Looking-Glass. Thence I learned, that that common belief, (that so soon as Hearing is restored to Deaf Persons, they will speak) to be false, for it seems not to me, that there is so great a consent betwixt the Organs of _Voice_, and of Hearing, that at the first blush they can imitate a _Voice_ that is heard; but by often imitating a _Voice_ or _Breath_ received from another, and also by hearing their own at the same time, we find at length a likeness between both, and after this manner we all learn to speak; for he who learns to speak, it is all one, as if he did learn some other Art; for by a long accustoming, the Organs are rendered apt and pliable: Hence it is, that sometimes we come not to pronounce aright Foreign Letters but after a long time. Now, it would be well observed or considered, that I presently prescribe all the Letters to Deaf Persons, or else they could not fix in their Minds their _Idea's_ of them, and I seldom teach more than two or three Letters in one day, least the _Idea's_ be confounded; but I bid them very often to repeat them, and to write them down as they are pronounced by me.

But if by chance, as it sometimes happeneth, that they should pronounce one Letter for another; I blame them not, but rather commend them, and grant with a nodd that they have satisfied me, and forthwith I write down the Character of that Letter upon Paper, that they may knit together the _Idea_ thereof with its figure. In the interim, whilst they learn the _Vowels_, I very often put their Hand to my _Throat_, that they may be accustomed to give forth a Sound.

When the _Vowels_ are become familiar to them, I go next to the _Semi-vowels_, which sometimes are more difficult, especially the _Nasals_; for Deaf Persons, unless they be taught, never give forth the _Voice_ by the _Nose_, thereupon I begin with [_m._] as that which is most plain, and easier learnt than the rest, so that they thereby may be accustomed to give a Sound at least thro' the _Nose_; therefore I bid them shut together their _Lips_, and putting their Hand to their _Throat_, to give forth a _Voice_, and by that means they necessarily pronounce [_m._] and not [_em._] as it's vulgarly pronounced.

The Daughter of Mr. _Kolard_, before she was committed to my Care, could indeed say _Pappa_; for indeed it is a little word, which is almost born with us; but her Father did confess, that he had more than 1000 times tried in vain to make her say _Mamma_, which yet I I brought her to in a small time.

And now, _Reader_, I commit to thee another Secret, _viz._ that if a Deaf Person be committed to thee to teach, beware that you do not teach him to pronounce together _Semi-vowels_ and _Consonants_, together with their annexed _Vowels_; as for example, _em. en. ka. ef. te, &c._

For thus they would learn neither to read, nor rightly to pronounce any word. The power and force of _Semi-vowels_ and _Consonants_ consists not in the adjoyned _Vowels_, but in a peculiar _Voice_ or _Breath_; and when you would have a Deaf Person to say _Tafel_ or _Swartz_, you shall hear from him nothing else but _Te. a. ef. e. el._ or _Es. we. a. er. te. zet._ which is very uncouth, nor can you easily mend it: But by this Method, so soon as ever they know their Letters, they begin to read; for _to read is only to pronounce the Letters successively_.

Here note well, that in the Schools this very thing would be of great use, chiefly when they are taught Languages, whose Letters are expressed by whole words, as _Alpha, Omega, Gimel, double u, zet, &c._ For more time is lost, and the desire of Learning taken away from Children, before they are able to abstract the Letters of these Sounds, and to connect them together in _Reading_; so that it is very much to be wonder'd at, that this most eminent short way of reading hath hitherto lain hid in the dark.