Grammatica Litvanica
Grammatica Litvanica is the first prescriptive printed grammar of the Lithuanian language which was written by Daniel Klein in Latin and published in 1653 in Königsberg, Duchy of Prussia.
The book was published by Johann Reusner who had settled in Königsberg back in 1639, while the editing of the manuscript was entrusted to the priest Johann Lehmann. Lehmann had served in the Lithuanian churches in Klaipėda. The book follows then-traditional grammar schemes for studies in Latin, Greek and Hebrew. The lexical material is taken primarily from the Lithuanian vernacular of the 17th century, with Klein trying to prove that the Lithuanian language can have its own grammar. Klein was also trying to convince Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg and the Prussian authorities to enable the publication of Lithuanian books.
Under the influence of Klein's efforts to systematically describe the grammatical structure of the Lithuanian language for the first time in his various works, more stable general language norms were introduced into Lithuanian. The new norms were based on the dialect of Western Aukštaitians.
Overview
The Grammatica Litvanica was printed in 1653 by Johann Reusner who arrived to Königsberg from Rostock in 1639. The checking of the manuscript of the Grammatica Litvanica was entrusted to Johann Lehmann, a priest of Lithuanian churches in Klaipėda. The Grammatica Litvanica mostly follows the traditional Latin grammarians scheme while the lexical material was taken from the living Lithuanian language and writings. With this work Klein sought to prove that the Lithuanian language can also have its own grammar.The dedication of the book contains emphasis that Duke Friedrich Wilhelm and the Prussian authorities takes care of publishing of the Lithuanian books. The preface of the book contains Klein's expression of gratitude for his helpers, described as great connoisseurs of the Lithuanian language: Didieji Rudupėnai priest Kristupas Sapūnas, Katnava priest Johann Klein, Ragainė priest Johan Hurtel, Žiliai priest Friedrich Prätorius, Klaipėda priest Johann Lehmann, Verdainė priest Vilhelmas Martinijus. The preface also contains criticism of those who opposed the Klein's grammar and did not believe in his work:
In 1654 Klein wrote a German-language summary of the Grammatica Litvanica titled Compendium Litvanico-Germanicum, oder Kurtz und gantz deutliche Anführung zur Littauischen Sprache wie man recht Littauisch lesen/schreiben und reden sol. for the less educated Prussian officials.
Impact
The distinctive Lithuanian letter Ė was used for the first time in the Klein's Grammatica Litvanica and firmly established itself in the Lithuanian language; it is still in use today. In the Grammatica Litvanica Klein also established the use of the letter for marking the sound Voiced labiodental fricative|, the use of which was later abolished in the Lithuanian language in favor of.The Grammatica Litvanica and other grammars written by Klein had great significance for the development of Lithuanian linguistics as they systematically described the grammatical structure of the Lithuanian language for the first time, and established more stable general language norms, based on the dialect of Western Aukštaitians.