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.
Submitted: July 12, 2021 | Accepted: Oct. 5, 2021 | Published Dec. 15, 2021 | Language: en
Keywords Writing systems • Linguistic comparativism • John Chamberlayne • W • G • Oratio dominica • Leibniz • Pater noster
Copyright © 2021 Stefano Gensini. This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Permalink http://doi.org/10.30687/Jolma/2723-9640/2021/02/006
