Lectures on the Science of Language
F. Max Müller, the German-born Oxford scholar of Sanskrit and comparative philology, delivered these lectures at the Royal Institution in London in 1861, and their publication made the study of language popular with a wide audience. Müller argues that the science of language belongs among the physical sciences, distinguishes the natural growth of language from its history, and traces the empirical, classificatory and theoretical stages of the discipline. He explains the genealogical classification of languages into the great families, comparative grammar and the constituent elements of speech, and ends with the question of the origin of language. Elegant and confident, the lectures shaped how the Victorians thought about words and their history. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
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Frequently asked questions about Lectures on the Science of Language
Lectures on the Science of Language by F. Max Müller can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Lectures on the Science of Language online?
Yes. Lectures on the Science of Language opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Lectures on the Science of Language free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Lectures on the Science of Language is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Lectures on the Science of Language in the public domain?
Yes. Lectures on the Science of Language by F. Max Müller is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Lectures on the Science of Language?
About 8 h 16 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Lectures on the Science of Language?
Lectures on the Science of Language by F. Max Müller is filed under "Classics" in the Vinteuil library.
