find French words in fourteenth-century Englis are, J, V, P, C, and E; after which, probably, come D, I, A, and G. On the other hand, we may least expect to find French words under K, W, B, L, U, and H; after which, probably, come Q, O, F, N, and M. If we further take into account initial combinations, we may observe that SCH, SE, TH, WR, and WH are surely indicative of English origin, whilst CH is indicative of a French one.
I have little doubt that, in modern English, the precentage of French and Latin words under each letter has, in some cases, undergone a considerable change. To take an example, this is particularly the case with the letter A. Whilst the number of English words beginning with A remains much the same as it was, we have received a large number of additions to the French and Latin ones; the result being that the latter are now in a considerable majority. This change is due, in particular, to the very great influence of the Latin ad as a prefix. An investigation of this particular question is not without a certain interest, and it is of some use to the young to be told that K, W, TH, and SH, regarded as beginning a word, are essentially English, whilst J, V, P, and CH are essentially un-English. And the remark, as regards K, W, and TH, is almost equally true, in whatever part of the words those letters[1] be found. It is a good plan, with beginners, to learn the alphabet; which is not quite so easy a matter as it is commonly said to be.
- ↑ TH is really a letter, not a diagraph. Add, that GH is a purely English combination, introduced into the word delight by a sheer blunder.
