The text discusses how the articulation of actions and emotions often relies more on mental inclination than language. Through examples of words like "Water" in Dutch, Latin, and French, the text illustrates how words with similar meanings require different lip movements based on the language. Additionally, it mentions the important role of the mouth, lips, and tongue in speech across various languages.
Maxims and Service of
the expression of Actions and Gestures, certain things can be generally understood; whether Instructions, Punishments, Commands, or similar are done. Because such matters depend much more on the inclinations of the Mind rather than on Language. In a few examples, we can sufficiently show the different movements of the Lips concerning the Words of a similar meaning in different Languages. We can see that in pronouncing a Word in a certain Language, the Mouth must open at the beginning, the end, or the middle; In another Language, a Word of the same meaning might require the Lips to close. For example, 'Water, Aqua, l'Eau,' etc. The Dutch Word starts with bringing the Lips together, ending with the Mouth opening; the Latin Word begins with the Mouth or Lips opening and ends similarly. But it requires the Lips to form the sounds of Q and U in the middle of the Word. The French Word starts with open Lips, ending nearly entirely closed. Other Words are quite similar; typically, those that sound alike or are seemingly derived from one another, such as "pater, Mater, Pere, Mere, Father, Mother." These do not vary greatly in the motion of the Lips and mean the same thing although they are taken from very different Languages.
They have meticulously explored how large the capabilities of the Mouth, the Tongue, and Lips are; both in the Esteemed and in the Old.
Translation Notes
- "Gemoeds" translates to "Mind" but refers to emotions or mental inclinations in this context.
- "Ouwe" is translated as "Old" but may imply traditional or familiar concepts.