Dear list-members Various attempts to name the language family have been tried. indo-germanique (C. Malte-Brun, danish geographer, from 1800 exiled in Paris, 1810) Indoeuropean (Th. Young, 1813) japetisk (dänisch; R. C. Rask, 1815) indisch-teutsch (F. Schmitthenner, 1826) sanskritisch (W. v. Humboldt, 1827) indokeltisch (A. F. Pott, 1840) arioeuropeo (G. I. Ascoli, 1854) indoeuropaeisch, sanskritisch, indo-klassisch (Franz Bopp, 1857) Aryan (F. M. Müller, 1861) translated into other languages Indo-Germanisch (J. H. v. Klaproth, 1823) indogermanico (A. Balbi, 1826) Indo-German (J. C. Prichard, 1826; but he prefered Indo-European) indo-européen (A. Pictet, 1836) aryaque (H. Chavée, 1867). "Nous nommerons en premier lieu la famille des langues indo-germaniques, qui règnent depuis les bords du Gange jusqu'aux rivages de l'Islande." Malte-Brun (geographer!) Ascoli's "arioeuropeo" could have been a good solution as well, since "indo" is even more specific than "germanisch", while either "ario" and "europeo" refer to groups. But an exact solution is anyway impossible. The terms which are in use now strike our attention telling us that there are two different conventions. Questioning them we discover a charming little piece of history. It is amusing how difficult it can be to name something and how much time can pass before an agreement on how one shall call something will join. Even now, since the geographic criterion is unknown to many people some reasonless embarressment can occur. But embarressment doesn't seem to have ever been a problem during the 19. century which saw so many different versions. It is even hard to believe that after 1870 indo-germanique has been replaced indo-européen for an anger against Germany, since the french language distinguishes clearly between germanique and allemand. Regards, Martin
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