en:wilkins_philsophical_language

HYPOTHETICAL LANGUAGE OR WILKINS PHILOSOPHICAL LANGUAGE

In the fra∣ming of which, there are these four properties to be endeavoured af∣ter.

  • 1. They should be most simple and easie for the Figure, to be de∣scribed by one Ductus of the pen, or at the most by two.
  • 2. They must be sufficiently distinguishable from one another to prevent mistake.
  • 3. They ought to be comely and graceful for the shape of them to the eye.
  • 4. They should be Methodical, Those of the same common nature, having some kind of sutableness and correspondence with one another; All which qualifications would be very advantageous, both for Vn∣derstanding, Memory and Vse.

Those Characters must represent either

  • Integrals
    • Radicals.
    • Derivations.
    • Inflections.
  • Particles
    • Grammatical.
    • Transcendental.

The first thing to be enquired after, is to find out fitting Marks for the common Genus's or Heads in the former Tables of Integrals, which are there reduced to the number of forty. It were not difficult to offer several Varieties of these Marks or Generical Characters, with their different Advantages and Conveniences; to which purpose I had pre∣pared sundry kinds of them, which I once thought to have inserted here: but upon further consideration, I shall mention only one of them, which I have chosen out of the rest, as seeming to me to be in all respects the most convenient amongst them.

  • Transcend.
    • General 〈☐〉
    • Rel. mixed 〈☐〉
    • Rel. of Action 〈☐〉
  • Discourse 〈☐〉
  • God 〈☐〉
  • World 〈☐〉
  • Element 〈☐〉
  • Stone 〈☐〉
  • Metal 〈☐〉
  • Herb consid. accord. to the
  • Shrub 〈☐〉
  • Tree 〈☐〉
  • Animals
    • Exanguious 〈☐〉
    • Fish 〈☐〉
    • Bird 〈☐〉
    • Beast 〈☐〉
  • Parts
    • Peculiar 〈☐〉
    • General 〈☐〉
  • Quantity
    • Magnitude 〈☐〉
    • Space 〈☐〉
    • Measure 〈☐〉
  • Quality
    • Power Nat. 〈☐〉
    • Habit 〈☐〉
    • Manners 〈☐〉
    • Quality sensible 〈☐〉
    • Disease 〈☐〉
    • Spiritual 〈☐〉
    • Corporeal 〈☐〉
    • Motion 〈☐〉
    • Operation 〈☐〉
  • Relation
    • Oecon. 〈☐〉
    • Posses. 〈☐〉
    • Provis. 〈☐〉
    • Civil 〈☐〉
    • Judicial 〈☐〉
    • Military 〈☐〉
    • Naval 〈☐〉
    • Eccles. 〈☐〉

The Differences are to be affixed unto that end which is on the left side of the Character, according to this order;

  • 1 〈☐〉
  • 2 〈☐〉
  • 3 〈☐〉
  • 4 〈☐〉
  • 5 〈☐〉
  • 6 〈☐〉
  • 7 〈☐〉
  • 8 〈☐〉
  • 9 〈☐〉

The Species should be affixed at the other end of the Character ac∣cording to the like order.

  • 1 〈☐〉
  • 2 〈☐〉
  • 3 〈☐〉
  • 4 〈☐〉
  • 5 〈☐〉
  • 6 〈☐〉
  • 7 〈☐〉
  • 8 〈☐〉
  • 9 〈☐〉

And whereas several of the Species of Vegetables and Animals, do according to this present constitution, amount to more than Nine, in such cases the number of them is to be distributed into two or three Nines, which may be distinguished from one another by doubling the stroke in some one or more parts of the Character; as suppose after this manner, 〈☐☐〉. If the first and most simple Character be made use of, the Species that are affixed to it, will belong to the first combination of Nine; if the other, they will belong according to the order of them, unto the second Combination.

Those Radicals which are paired to others uppon account of Oppo∣sition, may be expressed by a Loop, or (o) at the left end of the Cha∣racter, after this manner, 〈☐〉

Those that are paired upon the account of Affinity, are to be ex∣pressed by the like Mark at the other end of the Character, thus, 〈☐〉

The double Opposites of Excess or Defect, are to be described by the Transcendental points, denoting Excess or Defect, to be placed over the Character, as shall be shewed after.

  • Adjectives should be expressed by a Hook at the right end of the Cha∣racter in
    • Genus's or Differences, thus 〈☐〉
    • Species 〈☐☐〉
  • Adverbs (being very near of kin to adjectives) may be expressed by a Loop in the same place. In
    • Genus's and Diff. 〈☐〉
    • Species 〈☐☐〉
  • Abstracts may be expressed by a Hook at the left end of the Cha∣racter. In
    • Genus's 〈☐〉
    • Differences and Species 〈☐☐〉
  • The Active and Passive voice may be expressed, one of them by a Hook, and the other by a Loop, at the left end of the Character, after this manner, in
    • Genus's
      • Active 〈☐〉
      • Passive 〈☐〉
    • Differences or Species
      • Active 〈☐☐〉
      • Passive 〈☐☐〉
  • The Plural Number may be expressed by a hook at the right end of the Character, after this manner, in
    • Genus's and Differences 〈☐〉
    • Species 〈☐☐〉

The Characters of the Particles should each of them be of a less fi∣gure, and capable of being varied to a threefold place. The Gramma∣tical Particles, being applied to the sides of the Character, and the Transcendental Particles to the top of it.

These Grammatical Particles are here contrived to such a kind of distinct sutableness, so as each of the several kinds of them, hath a se∣veral kind of Character assigned to them.

  • 1. The Copula, by the mark of (〈☐〉)
  • 2. Pronouns, by Points. (〈☐☐☐☐☐☐〉)
  • 3. Interjections by upright Lines streight or hooked, (〈☐☐☐☐☐〉)
  • 4. Prepositions, by small curved Figures
    • 〈☐☐☐☐〉
    • 〈☐☐☐☐〉
    • 〈☐☐☐☐〉
  • 5. Adverbs, by a right angled Character
    • 〈☐☐☐☐〉
    • 〈☐☐☐☐〉
    • 〈☐〉
  • 6. Conjunctions by an acute angled Character
    • 〈☐☐☐☐〉
    • 〈☐☐☐☐〉
  • 7. Articles by two oblique Lines to be placed towards the top of the Character
    • 〈☐☐〉
  • 8. Modes by circular Figures mixed
    • 〈☐☐☐〉
    • 〈☐☐〉
    • 〈☐☐〉
    • 〈☐☐〉
  • 9. Tenses by a small streight transverse Line (-)

Amongst these Grammatical Particles the first six are more principal and absolute, viz.

1. The Copula, being the Verb Sum, according to a threefold diffe∣rence of time.

2. HYPOTHETICAL PRONOUNS

  • I
  • Thou
  • He
  • We
  • Ye
  • They
  • This, That
  • The same, Another
  • A certain, Some body
  • Any
  • Every
  • All
  • Who?
  • Which.
  • Whosoever.

If one of these Pronouns, suppose 〈☐〉 be placed at the side of the Character before it, 〈☐〉 it signifies the first Person (I.) If at the mid∣dle,〈☐〉 it signifies the second person (Thou.) If at the bottom, 〈☐〉 it signifies the third person (He.) And if they are thus affixed after a Character that signifies Action, they will then denote the Accusative Case, Me, Thee, Him. so 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is, I love him.

If any of the Pronouns are to be rendered in their Possessive sence, this is to be expressed by a little curve Line under them, as (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) So 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is My, or Mine, (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) is Ours, (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) is Thy or Thine, (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is His. And (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) is Theirs.

The Reduplicative Notion of Pronouns may most naturally be ex∣pressed by a doubling of their Character with a Fulcrum or Arrectarius interposed. So 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is I me, that is, I my self. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is Thou thee, Thou thy self. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 He him, He himself. And so for the Possessives that are re∣duplicative 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Mine mine, that is, My own, &c.

And whereas several of the Pronouns were before said to be appli∣cable both unto Place, Time, and Manner, this ought to be expres∣sed in writing by the help of an Arrectarius, with the Transcenden∣tal Marks of PI. T. M. So 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is, Which place. Thus 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is, What place, or Where? 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is, What time, or When? 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is, What manner, or How?

Interjections may be thus expressed;

  • Admiring
  • Doubting
  • Despising
  • Love, Hatred
  • Mirth, Sorrow
  • Desire, Aversation
  • Exclamation, Silence
  • Bespeaking, Expressing attention
  • Insinuation, Threatning

The Marks for Prepositions may be thus applied;

  • Of, With
  • By, For
  • Out of, Concerning
  • According, Instead
  • With, Without
  • For, Against
  • To, At
  • From, Off
  • Over, About
  • Into, In
  • Out of, Without
  • Thorough, Beside
  • Upwards, Above
  • Downwards, Below
  • Before, Behind
  • Upon, Under
  • On this side, Beyond
  • Betwixt, Against

The Marks for Adverbs may be thus applied;

  • Yea, Nay
  • Perhaps, Truly
  • As, So
  • How, So
  • More, Most
  • Less, Least
  • Rather, Than
  • Yet, Until
  • Whilst, At length
  • Together, Only
  • Again, As if
  • Un, Re
  • Almost.
  • Scarce.
  • Thereabout.

The Marks for Conjunctions may be thus applied;

  • Whether yea, Whether no
  • And, Neither
  • If Unless
  • Indeed, But
  • Although, Notwithstanding
  • Or, Either
  • That, Least that
  • For, Because
  • Wherefore, Therefore
  • Whereas, Thereupon
  • Also, &c.
  • viz. e. g.

The other three kinds of Particles are more servile and auxiliary.

The Articles may be expressed (as was said before) by two ob∣lique Lines to be placed towards the top of the Character

  • A 〈☐〉
  • The 〈☐〉

The Mark for the Imperative Mood, according as it is applied to several places of the Character, may express the mode of

  • 〈☐〉 Petition
  • 〈☐〉 Perswasion
  • 〈☐〉 Command

The Secondary Moods may have their Marks thus applied to them;

  • Power
    • Can 〈☐〉
    • Could 〈☐〉
  • Liberty
    • May 〈☐〉
    • Might 〈☐〉
  • Will
    • Will 〈☐〉
    • Would 〈☐〉
  • Necessity
    • Must, shall 〈☐〉
    • Must, should 〈☐〉

Several of these Secondary Modes, will according to their places, towards the top, middle, and bottom of the Character, comprehend in them the several differences of time; so 〈☐☐〉 is I would have writ.

The Marke for the Tenses, Past, Present, and Future, may be thus applied; 〈☐〉

The Transcendental Marks to be put in three places over the head of the Character, may be thus applied;

  • Metaphor
  • Like
  • Kind
  • Manner
  • Thing
  • Lamin
  • Pinn
  • Instrument
  • Vessell
  • Jugament
  • Machin
  • Sepiment
  • Armament
  • Vest
  • Armour
  • House
  • Chamber
  • Habit
  • Art
  • Officer
  • Artist
  • Mechanic
  • Merchant
  • Ability
  • Proneness
  • Inceptive
  • Frequentative
  • Endeavor
  • Impetus
  • Augmentative
  • Diminutive
  • Excess
  • Defect
  • Perfective
  • Corruptive

Whereas there is somewhat peculiar in the nature of Numbers, di∣stinct from any of the other Heads, by reason of their great multitude, and various kinds; It may seem therefore necessary to offer some more particular directions for the expression of them, both as to the Numbers themselves, and as to the Grammatical Variations of them.

Numbers are usually expressed in Writing either by words at length, or by Figures.

The Character here proposed under the first difference of Measure, is that which doth answer to the writing of Numbers in words at length,

And because the Species enumerated under that difference, are but nine, for the nine Digits; therefore will it be convenient in the first place, to explain the manner how all other numbers above nine, are to be expressed in this Character; which may be done by affixing some of these four Marks, (〈☐☐☐☐〉) put after the Character, closer to the Body of it than ordinary, to denote those round Numbers, Ten, Hun∣dred, Thousand, Million.

But because those common Figures now in use, borrowed from the Arabians, are so generally known, and a kind of Universal Character already received; therefore it may be most convenient still to retain the use of them, as being much better fitted for all the Arithmetical Operations, of Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division, &c. than either that Numerical Character mentioned before, or the way of Numeration by Letters, or any other way that I can think of.

As for those Variations of which Numbers are capable, and accord∣ing to which Grammarians do commonly distinguish them, they may be thus expressed.

1. Those which are called Cardinal Numbers, One, Two, Three, &c. are the Radical Numbers themselves.

2. Ordinals, as

  • First, second▪ third, &c. are Adjectives Neuter.
  • Firstly, secondly, thirdly, &c. are the Adverbs Neu∣ter.

3. Distributives may be exprest by the Substantive Neuter, with the Transcendental Mark of Segregate, the Substantive it self being put for one sort of Distributive in the singular Number, as sing. 3. (segr. will denote three, one by one; or for another sort of Distributive, being put in the plural number, as plural 3. (segr. will signifie by threes, or three by three.

4. Collectives may be exprest by the Substantive Neuter, with the Adverb together before it, with the transcendental Mark of Aggregate over it, as together-three, or three (Aggr. is a ternary, a leash, &c.

5. Multiplying a Number may be expressed by the Active of it, as a. three is trebling, and being multiplied by the Passive of it, as p. three being trebled.

6. Dividing a Number into parts, may be exprest by the Active with the transcendental Mark (Part. as a. three (part) is dividing into 3 parts, or active tripartition. Being divided into parts, may be ex∣pressed by the Passive with the mark of part; as p. three (part) is be∣ing divided into 3 parts, or passive tripartition. If this Division be into equal parts, one may express it by adding the Adverb equally.

7. A Fraction may be exprest; If it be the Aliquot part of a Num∣ber, by the Adjective Neuter, with the Transcendental Mark of Part, as adj. three (part) a third part, and it may be written thus, 3) 1; If it be not the Aliquot part of a Number, it may be exprest by both the Numbers which are to be considered in it, as three sevenths may be called a seventh part of three, and it may be written thus, 7) 3.

8. A Ration may be exprest likewise by both the Numbers which are to be considered in it, in speaking thus; as three to seven, in wri∣ting •/7

9. Number of Species or Sorts, may be exprest by the Number with the Transcendental Mark of (kind) as threefold, 3 (kind.

10. Number of Times or Places likewise, by the Transcendental Marks of Time or Place respectively, as once, twice, &c. in one

  • in two
    • times
    • places
  • in three
    • times
    • places

11. Abstract Numbers, as Unity, Duality, Trinity, may be exprest by adding the Mark of Abstract upon the Character.

If the Question be how these Grammatical Variations may be con∣trived in the use of the ordinary Figures for Number, this may be done by affixing such variations upon a Transverse Line over the head of the Figure, So 1☐. 2☐. 3☐. will be the Adjective, first, second, and third, &c. So 1☐. 2☐. 3☐ will be the Adverb, Firstly, secondly, third∣ly, So 2☐. 3☐. 4☐. will be twofold, threefold, fourfold, &c So 1☐. 2☐. 3☐. &c. will be once, twice, thrice, &c.

The Characters that serve for Interpunction, may be thus contri∣ved;

  • Comma 〈☐〉
  • Colon 〈☐〉
  • Period 〈☐〉

Those other Notes to distinguish the various manners of Pronuntia∣tion may be Charactered after this manner;

  • Hyphen •
  • Parenthesis ()
  • Explication []
  • Interrogation ?
  • Wonder !
  • Irony ¡

These Marks having not any such near resemblance to the other Real Characters, appointed either for Integrals or Particles, need not therefore be changed,

The Note for Emphasis, may be expressed either by a reduplication of the Characters, if it consist in one word; or by some variety in the shape of the Characters, if it consist in several words, as is usual in that way of printing Words in an Italic Letter

The meaning of these things will appear more plainly by an Exam∣ple: To which purpose I shall set down the Lords Prayer, and the Creed written in this Character, which I shall afterwards explain and resolve according to the forementioned Rules.

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  • en/wilkins_philsophical_language.txt
  • 2024/07/21 05:24
  • brahmantra