On the Evolution of Language First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1879-80, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1881, pages 1-16

"On the Evolution of Language" by John Wesley Powell is a scientific publication written in the late 19th century. The book examines the development and complexity of language through a detailed analysis of Indian languages, focusing on the grammatical processes and structures that have emerged over time. It aims to provide insights into how languages evolve and differentiate their components. Powell's work explores various grammatic processes such as combination, vocalic mutation, intonation, and placement, detailing how these processes contribute to the structure and meaning of language. He discusses how words combine to create new meanings and how grammatical elements like nouns, verbs, and adjectives interact within sentences. By analyzing Indian languages, Powell argues that their linguistic organization is less specialized than that of more developed languages, showcasing their distinctive features. The study ultimately seeks to draw comparisons between the grammatical structures of Indian tongues and those of more widely recognized languages, shedding light on the universal patterns and unique characteristics inherent in language evolution. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

John Wesley Powell was an American geologist, U.S. Army soldier, explorer of the American West, professor at Illinois Wesleyan University, and director of major scientific and cultural institutions. He is famous for his 1869 geographic expedition, a three-month river trip down the Green and Colorado rivers, including the first official U.S. government-sponsored passage through the Grand Canyon.