SOCRATES:
...And here I will ask you a question:
Suppose that we had no voice or tongue, and wanted to
communicate with one another, should we not, like the deaf and
dumb, make signs with the hands and head and the rest of the
body?
HERMOGENES:
There would be no choice, Socrates.
SOCRATES:
Then a name is a vocal imitation of that which the vocal
imitator names or imitates?
HERMOGENES:
I think so.
SOCRATES:
Nay, my friend, I am disposed to think that we have not
reached the truth as yet.
SOCRATES:
.... But how
shall we further analyse them, and where does the imitator
begin? Imitation of the essence is made by syllables and letters;
ought we not, therefore, first to separate the letters, just as
those who are beginning rhythm first distinguish the powers of
elementary, and then of compound sounds, and when they have done
so, but not before, they proceed to the consideration of
rhythms?
SOCRATES:
That objects should be imitated in letters and syllables, and so
find expression, may appear ridiculous, Hermogenes, but it
cannot be avoided--there is no better principle to which we can
look for the truth of first names.
. . .Clearly then the professor of languages should be
able to give a very lucid explanation of first names, or let him
be assured he will only talk nonsense about the rest.
Do you not suppose this to be true?
HERMOGENES:
Certainly, Socrates.
SOCRATES:
My first notions of original names are truly wild and
ridiculous, though I have no objection to impart them to you if
you desire, and I hope that you will communicate to me in return
anything better which you may have.
Cratylus by Plato (360BCE)
trans. Benjamin Jowett
S
