In the lists of verbs, the most noteworthy fact is that all the irregular verbs, except valer, caber, and those in -ducir and -uir, (asir does not enter these lists), are found in List I. In the same list are examples of all the radical-changing verbs, of almost all the verbs showing a change in spelling of the stem, and verbs of the -ecer type. It is clear that a knowledge of the irregularities of Spanish conjugation is the first essential to a use of the language. There is, however, no example of a verb with stem ending in -ll, and only one example, reñir, of a verb with a stem in -ñ. In another respect the lists are valuable, in that they help to answer the question as to the relative frequency of certain synonyms. Thus we find that empezar (List I) is the only verb found for "begin"; that encontrar (List I) is more frequent than hallar (List III); and that ocurrir and suceder are the words for "happen," and not acaecer or acontecer, which do not appear in the lists. It is unnecessary to cite further examples, but it is at once clear that the lists are of value in guiding the teacher both in the choice of paradigms for drill and in the choice of vocabulary for expression. Of the other parts of speech in the lists little need be said. The adjectives include a not inconsiderable number of mental and moral attributes as well as physical or quantitative. Of the colors only blanco, negro (if they be colors), azul, verde and colorado occur. The relative infrequency of the conjunction mas is clear. The adoption of the exclamation caramba by magazine-writers seeking to give Spanish color to their tales would seem to have some slight warrant. These brief comments will serve to show some of the uses to which these lists may be put. They do not, as has been said already, claim authority, but are rather a suggestion of what might and should be done on a more extensive scale. They are at least unbiased by the personal opinions of the compiler; the texts studied were chosen with the aim of securing as normal a vocabulary as possible, from plays in the most part, but also from newspapers, reviews, short stories and novels. They will serve their purpose if they stimulate some teacher or student to complete the task which is here outlined. When such an authoritative list is available, there will be less excuse for the perverted vocabularies which now mar so many of our Spanish grammars, composition-books, and readers. |