THE STUDY OF GERMAN.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16451, 19 February 1919, Page 6

THE STUDY OF GERMAN.

SIR ROBERT STOUT'S VIEWS

In the course of his address to the Senate of tho University yesterda}', the Chancellor (Sir Robert Stout) dealt

with tho study of German

"There is one matter," ho said, "that I think we ought to consider, but which will have to be referred to the Board of Studies before action can be taken. That is whether there should be some change made in our subject for senior scholarships. At present we have two senior scholarships in English, one on private foundation, the other granted by the University. Wo have altogether five scholarships in languages; eight in science, including mathematics; one in mental science; one in economics, one in history, and one in law. Considering that many students are not taking Latin, I think it would be wise to give an additional scholarship in French, and thus make two scholarships in French. The question of dealing with what has been termed an enemy language—German—has been discussed by Professor Alexander, Professor of Philosophy in the Nebraska University, in the 'Mid-West Quarterly' for January, 1918. Ihis article should be read together with an article in the 'Atlantic Monthly' for September, 1918, entitled 'Tho Thoughts of a Teacher of German.' In consequence of the barbarities of the Germans in this great war, this German teacher writes that: Gorman as a language has not passed, is not passing, but German as a favourite study, as a foster-tongue which we affectionately cultivate, is no more, lhe Hun has seen to that. It takes but a composite study of the departments of German in the colleges and universities of this year to comprehend astounding falling-off of students.' Wo find the same falling-off in New Zealand. During the past five years there have only been two candidates in German, and the number of candidates tor French scholarships durin"- the same period was: 1914, 9; 1915, s*: 1916. *7 > T' 19. We must consider whether it is wise to have only gno scholarship f or French when the study of Gorman has so fallen off and is not likely to revive. Without raising the question whether, considering the conduct of the Germans during tho war, there should be any discouragement given to the study of their language or literature, we ought to consider the number of students who desire to take the subject. From that point of view it appears to me that we ought to provide for' two scholarships in English and two in French. From a literary point of view, French is much more important than German. If wo want our students to acquire style and literary grace, and be logical in their writing, we would not advise them to study German, but we would urge them to study French as a modern language that would greatly assist them, r have based my suggestion on the value of French as a scholastic study; but there is another circumstance that should not be overlooked. We have through tho great war been drawn closer to Franco, and to preserve, good feeling that exists between our Empire and France wo should study French literature, and our students who wish to go for research purposes to the Universities of Europe should bo encouraged to avail themselves of the study that is open to them m the great Universities of France. The only ground for urging a study or Gorman is for its scholastic and scientific literature. If a number of our students desire t 0 study Italian or , Spanish, we ought to provide a scholarship for each of those languages From a commercial point of view, considering that Spanish is the chief lan- ' guago spoken in South America a study of Spanish should appeal to us, for in the future we may expect more commercial intercourse with South America than we have had in the past."