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among such equivalent terms, and, as a rule, one of these becomes the prevailing one in one dialect, another in another, to the neglect and loss of all, but the one selected.[1]
We insist on this point, though sufficiently proved by constant observation, as the fundamental reason, or the cause, that most contributed to the formation of the numerous dialects, which composed the Brasilian speech, at the time of the discovery and conquest of the country.
According to our humble opinion, all Brasilian tribes spoke tongues of one general family, although much altered by frequent phonetic changes, owing, principally, to the above-mentioned causes.
Among the leading reasons, which enable us to emit such a proposition on the nature of Brasilian tongues, there exists one, that, as we think, should be regarded, as of the most legitimate inference, viz:—that in all Brasilian dialects, of which there are grammars and vocabularies, some of which were composed, since the colonial period, we find the greatest agreement in gram-
- ↑ Townsend, book cit.
