Daniel Klein (grammarian)
Encyclopedia
Daniel Klein (1609–1666) was a Lutheran
pastor
and scholar from Tilsit, Duchy of Prussia, who is best known for writing the first grammar
book of the Lithuanian language
.
Klein studied philosophy
, theology
, Greek
and Hebrew
in the University of Königsberg
. In 1637 he became a Lutheran pastor.
In 1653 Klein published the first grammar book of the Lithuanian language (Gammatica Litvanica), written in Latin
. Klein coined the distinctive Lithuanian letter Ė
. He also wrote a Lithuanian dictionary, but it was left unpublished.
Klein published collections of Lithuanian hymn
s (Lit. giesmes), some of which he wrote himself.
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
and scholar from Tilsit, Duchy of Prussia, who is best known for writing the first grammar
Grammar
In linguistics, grammar is the set of structural rules that govern the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language. The term refers also to the study of such rules, and this field includes morphology, syntax, and phonology, often complemented by phonetics, semantics,...
book of the Lithuanian language
Lithuanian language
Lithuanian is the official state language of Lithuania and is recognized as one of the official languages of the European Union. There are about 2.96 million native Lithuanian speakers in Lithuania and about 170,000 abroad. Lithuanian is a Baltic language, closely related to Latvian, although they...
.
Klein studied philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
, Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
and Hebrew
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
in the University of Königsberg
University of Königsberg
The University of Königsberg was the university of Königsberg in East Prussia. It was founded in 1544 as second Protestant academy by Duke Albert of Prussia, and was commonly known as the Albertina....
. In 1637 he became a Lutheran pastor.
In 1653 Klein published the first grammar book of the Lithuanian language (Gammatica Litvanica), written in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
. Klein coined the distinctive Lithuanian letter Ė
E
E is the fifth letter and a vowel in the basic modern Latin alphabet. It is the most commonly used letter in the Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Hungarian, Latin, Norwegian, Spanish, and Swedish languages.-History:...
. He also wrote a Lithuanian dictionary, but it was left unpublished.
Klein published collections of Lithuanian hymn
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
s (Lit. giesmes), some of which he wrote himself.
External links
- Danielius Kleinas, Daiva Kšanienė, Mažoji Lietuva
- The Lithuanian Language, Giedrius Subačius, Institute of the Lithuanian Language