Jump to content

Page:A simplified grammar of the Danish language.djvu/11

From Wikisource
This page has been validated.

AUTHOR'S PREFACE.




The present work, in conformity with the plan of the series of which it forms a part, addresses itself principally to those, whose grammatical knowledge of other tongues, whether dead or living, enables them readily to master a new language, provided only that its essential and specific characteristics are clearly presented to them. In attempting to fulfil these requirements, we have endeavoured, as far as the limited dimensions of the volume permitted, to indicate the more important of the numerous points of affinity existing between modern Danish (Dano-Norwegian) and its old northern mother-tongue; and, among these, the origin and process of development of the Affix-Article have been more specifically noticed, as bearing upon the most marked characteristic of the Scandinavian tongues.

The simple grammatical rules which are common to all cultivated languages have on the other hand been only very briefly touched upon.

It will be apparent, therefore, that the present little Grammar in no way aims at superseding more minutely and