An Examination of the Theories and Methodologies of John Walker (1732- 1807) with Emphasis Upon Gesturing
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
This dissertation has been 64—7006 microfilmed exactly as received DODEZ, M. Leon, 1934- AN EXAMINATION OF THE THEORIES AND METHODOLOGIES OF JOHN WALKER (1732- 1807) WITH EMPHASIS UPON GESTURING. The Ohio State University, Ph.D., 1963 Speech—Theater University Microfilms, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan AN EXAMINATION OP THE THEORIES AND METHODOLOGIES OP JOHN WALKER (1732-1807) WITH EMPHASIS UPON GESTURING DISSERTATION Presented In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By M. Leon Dodez, B.Sc., M.A ****** The Ohio State University 1963 Approved by Department of Speech ACKNOWLEDGMENT I wish to express my gratitude to Dr. George Lewis for his assistance In helping to shape my background, to Dr. Franklin Knower for guiding me to focus, and to Dr. Keith Brooks, my adviser, for his cooperation, patience, encouragement, leadership, and friendship. All three have given much valued time, encouragement and knowledge. ii CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................... 1 Chapter I. INTRODUCTION............................... 1 II, BIOGRAPHY................................... 9 III. THE PUBLICATIONS OP JOHN WALKE R............. 27 IV. JOHN WALKER, ORTHOEPIST AND LEXIGRAPHER .... 43 V. NATURALISM AND MECHANICALISM............... 59 VI. THEORY AND METHODOLOGY..................... 80 VII^ POSTURE AND P A S S I O N S ......................... 110 VIII. APPLICATION AND PROJECTIONS OP JOHN WALKER'S THEORIES AND METHODOLOGIES......... 142 The Growth of Elocution......................143 L a n g u a g e ................................... 148 P u r p o s e s ................................... 150 H u m o r ....................................... 154 The Disciplines of Oral Reading and Public Speaking ......................... 156 Historical Analysis ....................... 159 The Pa u s e ................................... 162 Pronunciation............. ............. .. 164 Specific Methods of Teaching ............ 167 Physical Movement ......................... 173 IX. CONCLUSIONS................................... 186 BIBLIOGRAPHY......................................... 194 AUTOBIOGRAPHY....................................... 202 ill CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION John White briefly summarized John Walker’s contri bution to philology1 by stating: . one would think that no man, at all acquainted with the state of this department of Oratory pre vious to his time, could ever think of withholding from him that tribute of praise, to which, as a man of genius, research, and observation, he is justly and most unequivocally entitled.2 By advancing new theories of pronunciation, more detailed investigations of grammatical structure, and a theory of elocution, John Walker attempted to present a system of practical teaching of many aspects of communications. His indefatigable and persevering researches demand no ordinary share of praise and respect. He is also entitled to a share of that praise of genius, which Dr. [SamuelJ Johnson calls the highest,— we mean Invention.3 -------- t--------- Philology is defined by most of Walker's critics, referred broadly to interpretation, grammar, stymology, criticism, public speaking and oral reading. Philology is defined in this sense in this study, perhaps synonymous to bur term of communication. Today, philology is commonly referred to as a study of the history of words. 2John White, The Elementary Elocutionist (London: Privating printing, 1826), p. vi. 3Ibid. 1 2 Some of the modem writings concerning the history of the early movement of elocution do not record John Walker with high esteem. Modem implications that John Walker was criticized by his contemporaries for presenting a mechanical method of gesturing seem rarely substantiated. There appeared to be a need for further investigation of the early philologist's theories, particularly those concerning ges turing, and their applications to our teaching of public speaking and oral reading. However, before investigating John Walker’s theories of elocution and their applications, it became necessary to associate the man to his period and to state not only the approach toward elocution during his period, but to more fully investigate the acceptance of his theories. This Investigation suggested that John Walker maintained a high degree of acceptance as a leading philologist of his period. This is analyzed by considering the author and his writings (1 ) through his contemporary associations, (2 ) his personal background and employment, (3 ) his major contributions to orthoepy and lexigraphy, and (4) by presenting a clearer understanding of the many publications of the author and the adaptations of his writings in later editions. These four approaches comprise the first four chapters of this study. Secondly, the present implications of John Walker’s theories are often misleading. Misunderstandings have developed concerning the reputation of John Walker’s theories, and It becomes necessary to establish from what source or sources misunderstandings of Walker’s theories arise. Some modern writers suggest that John Walker was criticized by his contemporaries for presenting a mechan ical method of approaching gesturing. It became necessary to investigate the criticism of John Walker’s period to establish If and to what degree he was accused of a mechan ical concept. There undoubtedly existed a relationship between John Walker’s emphasis of the mechanical analysis of sentence structure and the mechanical methodology for teaching gesturing. However, this relationship has never been precisely defined. Thus, the second hypothesis of this study attempted to show that John Walker was more critically analyzed and criticized for presenting a mechan ical method of analyzing sentence structure for the purpose of improving inflection and of presenting a system of rules for pronunciation rather than presenting mechanical gestur ing rules. John Walker’s analysis of sentence structure may have been confused by some modern critics with a mechanical methodology of teaching gesturing. Thus, the second hypothesis developed: criticisms of John Walker’s theories were generally based upon an analysis of language rather than a mechanical style of teaching gesturing. The second hypothesis is investigated by considering (1) the relationships concerning "Naturalism and Mechanicalism," Chapter V, (2) narrowing the scope to con sider what John Walker taught and how he proposed it should be taught, "Theory and Methodology," Chapter VI, and (:) stating what the philologist said concerning physical move ment and expression of the speaker or reader, "Posture and Passions," Chapter VII. Thirdly, it became necessary to investigate John Walker's methodologies to establish if there is any appli cation of his principles to the teaching of public speaking and oral reading. These ideas were related to their period and to their modern application. From this approach a logical projection of his theories into practical applica tion could be attempted. A third hypothesis developed: portions of John Walker's theories and methodologies of language are present in our teaching and others are appli cable to current teaching practices. Particular attention was directed to gesturing. The need and projection for historical and quantitative research for verification of John Walker's theories will be considered. An investigation of the third hypothesis can be found in Chapter VIII, "Application of John Walker's Theories and Methodologies." Thus, through attempting to clarify these hypotheses, an investigation of John Walker's theories and methodologies related to his period and applied to modern practices is approached through considering the more general background 5 of..the writer and his theories, and narrowing the direction to consider the author's theories and their applications to teaching gesturing. The direction must include not only the reviewing of John Walkerfs theories and a projection of his theories to current teaching practices, but also include a projection of his theories to possible studies which might be considered in attempting to clarify the validity of his theories. - In summary, the following three hypotheses will be considered: Hypothesis I: John Walker maintained recognition and acceptance as a prominent philologist of his period. Hypothesis II: The emphasis of John Walker*s mechan ical analysis of sentence structure has often been confused with a mechanical methodology of teaching gesturing. Thus, criticisms of John Walker's theories of teaching were often based upon an analysis of language rather than of gesturing. Hypothesis III: Portions of John Walker's methodolo gies of teaching gesturing and portions of his theories are applicable to modern teaching practices. The purpose of the second chapter, "A Biography of John Walker," Is to present a background of the author In relation to his associates. Many were recognized authori ties of language study and some freely expressed their opinions of John Walker and his writings. These relation ships presented some idea of the acceptance of John Walker and his theories in relation to his period. The chronolog ical organization of information taken from bibliographies, diaries, letters, and facts from records seemed most appro priate to this objective. The purpose of the third chapter, "The Publications of John Walker," is to present an understanding of the back ground of John Walker’s acceptance by tracing the develop ment of the publications of the