Dalgarno in Paris

Abstract

abstract : The paper reports on a recent discovery that in Paris two manuscripts are conserved, which are concerned with two distinct but closely connected inventions by George Dalgarno : a universal character and an artificial language. The manuscripts were written in 1657 by a visitor to Oxford who probably came from Paris. The paper recapitulates the early history of Dalgarno' s scheme, paying special attention to a broadsheet he published in 1657. The Paris manuscripts contain a faithful Latin translation of parts of the content of this broadsheet, and some additional material. The manuscripts enable us to fill in some of the details of the development of Dalgarno' s early scheme. Moreover, their very existence sheds further light on the network of scholarly contacts regarding universal language. Finally, the manuscripts illustrate the importance of the relationship between spoken and written language for 17th century ideas on universal language.