result is endowed with the proud name 'chief and hero language' (Haupt-und Heldensprache). It is literally true what Justus Jonas in his funeral sermon declares of Luther: 'He has rehabilitated the German language, so that now we can again distinctly speak and write' " 1. c. p. I2f.).
Risch remarks: "Luther was bound to find the proper word for the new and great that filled his heart, that filled the heart of the people, though they were unable to clothe it in words. His wonderfully developed genius of language almost always enabled him to find what he sought. And the moment he had found the word he also gave to the concept included therein an explosive power of penetrating effect. One must clearly visualize this mental revolution with its psychological results for the linguistic expression of the masses, who stood in the midst of the stream, in order fully to appreciate Luther's importance for the history of language." "The stronger projection of the dialect during the 15th century plainly reveals how the politically disjointed Germany also cultivated but little of mental touch and intercourse. And the international character of humanism was even less in a position to afford the people the mental unity. Only the imperial chancery felt the need of a uniform German written language understood by all. But the chancery on the other hand was too little in touch with the people, and possessed too little influence among them, to bring about a healthy and vigorous linguistic movement. The great and unifying thought, that joined the north and the south was lacking, the mastering and ponderous gravity of a great personality, who knew how to press the German language into the service of a great cause, over which every German could enthuse. In order to realize this great aim
