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Hermann PaulGerman linguist and linguistic theorist, representative of neogrammatism
Date of Birth: 07.08.1846
Country:  Germany |
Content:
Biography of Hermann Paul
Hermann Paul (1846–1921) was a German linguist-germanist and language theorist, known for his contributions to the field of mlagrmmatics. He was born on August 7, 1846, in Salbke near Magdeburg. Paul studied in Berlin, where he was greatly influenced by Hermann Steinthal, one of the main representatives of psychologism in linguistics in the 19th century. He then continued his studies in Leipzig, where he was taught by Georg Curtius (1820–1885) and also influenced by August Leskien. Paul closely collaborated with Karl Brugmann and Hermann Osthoff.
Paul held professorships at the University of Freiburg (1874–1893) and the University of Munich (from 1893). He was a renowned expert in the history of the German language. Some of his notable works include "Investigations into Germanic Vocalism" (Untersuchungen über den germanischen vokalismus, 1879), "Introduction to the Fundamentals of Germanic Philology" (Grundriss der germanischen philologie, 1896), "German Dictionary" (Deutsches Wörterbuch, 1896), and a five-volume grammar of the German language (Deutsche Grammatik, 1916–1920).
Principles of Language History
Paul is most known for his book "Principles of Language History" (Prinzipien der Sprachgeschichte, 1880), which serves as the foundational theoretical work of the mlagrmmatic school. This book covers various aspects of linguistics and clearly expresses the main features of the mlagrmmatic approach, including a strong emphasis on historicism, individual psychological analysis, empiricism, and inductivism, as well as a focus on specific and particular questions rather than broad and general ones. While considering linguistics as a historical science, Paul also expanded beyond purely historical approaches in certain areas, such as the classification of parts of speech. Sections dedicated to historical changes in syntax and semantics remain relevant to this day.
Paul's book had a significant influence on linguists from various countries, including N.V. Kruszhevsky, F.F. Fortunatov, and others.
