Deuision of Grammar .

Grammar according to Quintilian , is two fould : Historicall , and Methodicall .

Historicall , gotten by imitation of Authors .

Methodicall , is taught by precepts , which onely we heere handle .

Subdiuision of Grammar .

Grammar methodicall is deuided into fower parts , Orthography , Prosody , Etymology , & Syntaxis . Deuision of Grammar .

Orthography , conuersant in letters . Prosody , in syllables . Etymologie , in words . Syntaxis , in sentences . Propertie of the fower parts of Grammar .

Orthographie , of the Greeke word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 right , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 writing .

Prosodia , of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. ad , & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , cantus , that is Accentus .

Etymologia , of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , true , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 speech .

Syntaxii , of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. con . & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ordino , quasi , coordinatio .

Orthographie is a right rule of true writing , as before of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 right , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 writing , Definition of Orthographie . Definition of Orthopoeia . whereby euerie word is to be set downe with his true letters , as Cierro , certaine , not Sierto .

Heereto belongeth Orthopoeia , which is a right rule of true speaking , of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 right , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 word , that in speaking men pronounce not more grosse or smal , then the nature of language will allow , or otherwise then the accustomed maner of pronounciation vsually permitted therein , as Vino , wine , not to pronounce it as Englishmen doe , Veino , but smaller as they pronouncethe double ce , Veeno , Dios , God , not Deios , but Dheeos . But of this hereafter in the letters more at large .

And because Orthographie ( the former part of our Grammar ) chiefly consisteth in the true writing of euerie word with his right letters : It must of necessitie follow , that whosoeuer speaketh , or heareth a toong spoken in his proper Idioma , and would write downe the same so spoken , The force of letters . that he know the power and proprietie of each letter in that toong ( because of letters are framed syllables , and of syllables are made words , and of words the whole speech , and language , the which neglected , must needs bring a confusion to the learner , and little or no fruite to the Teachers labour . Therefore to our purpose .

There are in the Spanish toong 27. letters , whereof 24. are single , and three double .

The single , A. b. c. ç. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. k. l. m. n. o. p. q. r. s . t. v. x. y. z. Letters . Double letters .

The double are these , ch . ll. ñ.

If any aske the question , why the Spanish , being descended from the Latine , hath in it more letters then the Latin : I answere , Nota. that although it be now ( for the most part of words therin ) corrupt & broken Latin , yet it had at the first ( as in the Proeme before going ) his originall from the Caldean , Arabique , and Moores toong , of which they reserue some * * ç. g. j. x. z. letters .

But now to our letters as they are in order in the Alphabet or crosse row , without beginning with the vowels , and then skipping from one consonant to another , distracting the memorie of the yoong beginner in a toong , which would much better retaine the precepts giuen thereon , so they might not be driuen to a new order of reckoning their letters , differing from that in their childhood they learned , and now can hardly be drawen from .

A Is sounded plainely , with opening the mouth as in the Latin , French , and Italian , as in English man , can : so in Spanish , Manáda , a flocke , Ensaláda , a salade of herbs .

B Is as the Latin , and is called litera labialis , one of the labiall or lip letters , because it cannot be pronounced without ioyning the lips togither . It is pronounced as in English , baker , basket : so in Spanish , Bacía , a bowle , Bárro , clay , but in the middest of a word , except the word come of the Latin. The Spaniards vsually confoundeth it with V consonant , and soundeth it as V consonant , as Trabájo , trauell , they pronounce Travájo : Palábras , words , they sound Palávras : B and V consonant , written and pronounced one for another . Cábra , a goate , Cávra : Labór , labour , Lavór : Albárda , a parkesaddle , Alvárda : Alabárda , a holbard , Alavárda : so oftentimes in the beginning of a word , as Baylár , to daunce , Vaylár : Basquíña , a peticoate , a kirtle , Vasquína : Bellóta , an acorne , Vellóta : Berméjo , red colour , Vermejo : Bexica , a bladder , Vexica . Wherefore I aduise the studious in the Spanish toong , Nota. if he finde not a word in the Dictionarie , in one of these letters , let him turne to the other : as if he finde not Báyo , which is vsed in good Authors for Bay coloured , or Bayard , let him looke Váyo , and there he shall finde the same : If not Vañar , to bathe , looke Bañár : If not Vóz , looke Bóz , a voice .

B cast away . B In the middest of a word going before another consonant , and making the pronunciation harder , is cut off in Spanish , as Subtil , they write , Sutíl , Absénte , Ausénte , Obscúro , Oscúro , or Escúro .

C This letter hath two manner of soundings according to the vowels that follow it . If a o or u follow it , he is sounded as k , as in Cára , a face , Cóco , weuell , Cuch●i●a , a spoone : so likewise in the middle of a word , as Descánso , rest , Escória , drosse , Escudill● , a dish : but going before e or i pronounce almost as the Italian z , as Prudenza , Dis●●zo , or their t before ia or io , as Prudentia , Iustificatione , Cecina , powdred flesh , Ciruéla , a ●●um .

C cast away . C Before t , cut off as Acto , an acte : the Spaniard saith , A●o , Pacto , a couenant , Páto .

Ç Marked with a dash vnder it thus , ç , called ç , Cerilla , or ç Cedilla , is proper to the Arabíque toong , from whence it was first taken : it is sounded by putting the toong to the ranckes of the teeth , ç pronounced as the Italian Z. ç pronounced as English Ths . as the French ç ●●en ça , or verie neere : the Italian Z , as Dilligenza , Scienza . This ç must be so pronounced , whether it be at the beginning , end , or middle of a word , though a o or u follow : and is sounded as in English Ths , as çaraguélles , great gascoine or Spanish hose , çoçóbras , crosse blows of fortune , çúfre , brimstone : pronounce Thsaraguélles , Thsosóbras , Thsúfre , in like maner before e and i , as çenogiles , garters , çiénto , a hundred : pronounce Thsenogíles , Thsiénto .

D Is pronounced in the beginning of a word , as in Latin , French , and Italian : as in English , Dagger , Doctor : so in Spanish , Dága , a dager , Dóze , a doosen : this word Dios is except from this rule , and is pronounced as these that follow : that is , if d come in the middest or end of a word , D pronounced as Dh. you must pronounce him as ♩ in Greeke , as dh in English , as Cada , euery , Cádha , fidelidád , fidelitie , fidhelidhadh .

E Is as the Latin , and the Italian , and as in English , bend , Lend : so in Spanish , Bendezír , to blesse , Bevér , to drinke : and it must neuer be sounded so small as the English ee , as fee , wee : nor so broad as the French do their e feminine , as Femme , a woman , pronounced Famma , but betwixt both as first aboue .

F Is as the Latin and the Italian toongs , and iust as the English . The Spaniard writeth him when the Latins write Ph , as Philosophus , in Spanish Filósofo .

G Answerable to the Hebrue Gimel , & hath two maner of soundings according to the vowels which follow it , if a o or u immediately followe , it is pronounced as in the Latin , Gabriel , Gorgias , Gubernator : Italian , Galante , Gotta , Gustare : French , Garçon , Gourmand : as in English , Gate , Ga. Go , Gu. Gua. Gold , Gutter : so in Spanish , Gáfo , a lazare , a leapour , Gófo , rude , Gúla , guttonie .

But if after the u immediately come a , as Guante , a gloue , sound Gwante : Agua , water , Agwa : Mengua , want Mengwa .

Gue , Gui , like Ghe , Ghi . But if after u follow e or i , pronounce as the French Guerre , Guide : as in English Guest , guide : so in Spanish Guérra , war , Guía , a guide : sound Gherra , Ghia , except these wordes following , Guéro , adle , Aguéro , soothsaying , Garguéro , the throat , Sirguéro , a drawer or tower of a boate with a roape , Hoguéro , a woodpile , Triguéro , a sparowe that lieth in the wheate , Ciguéna , a storke , Pediguéno , wanton , Halaguéño , flattering , Siguénça , a citie of Spaine , Verguénça , shame , Aguélo , a grandfather , Deguéllo , a beheading , Reguéldo , belking , Vnguénto , ointment : and words that come of the Infinitiue moode in Guár , as Enxaguár , to water , Enxágue , Menguár , to want , Mengue .

Ge , Gi , as je , ji , which is as in English she shi . G Before e or i is sounded as the Latin Gero : Italian , Giorno : French , Gisant : English , Geffrey , Giles : or more like the Spanish , called j jota , or j consonant , which is pronounced as sh in English : so they say Gémir , to groane , pronouncing as it were written in English shemir , Gingíbre , ginger , shinshibre .

For the Spaniard maketh no difference in speaking of this G before e and i , from the j consonant , G and j consonant written one for another . and they write one for another , as Agéno , Lináge , Menságe , Lisongéro , Magestád , or Ajéno , Lináge , Mensáje , Lisonjéro , Majestád .

G Before n in the middle of a word lost , as Ignomínia , Inomínia , ignominie , Ignoráncia , Inoráncia , ignorance .

H This letter is neither vowell nor consonant , but a note of aspiration , it is called in the Spanish as in the English Ache , which were more properly in my opinion to be called as some nations do , Ha , bicause it doth so import in pronouncing as in English , Harmes , Harnes , Hate , Hang.

This H in the beginning of a word is pronounced in Spanish with more vehemencie and emphasis , and in the middle or end of a worde weakely and faintly . H in beginning of a word .

In the beginning he must be pronounced with more force , or else there woulde be no difference found in speaking these wordes , and their like , Háca , a nagge : Acá hither : as Ven acá , come hither , Hásta , vntill , and Asta for a speare : Háya , a beech tree : A'ya , a nurse : Húso , a spindle : U'so , vse .

In the middle of a worde not so forcible , as Ahechár , pronounce as Aechár , Alholí , Alolí , H in middle of a word . a barne or garner .

This H goeth before all the fiue vowels , as Hazér , to make or doe : Hécho , made or done : Hígado , the liuer : Hollín , the soote of a chimney : Húso , a spindle . But it may not in true Spanish orthographie be written before a consonant , as Cristo , not Christo .

Besides it is lost after T , as Ortografía , not Orthografía , Teólogo , not Theólogo . H taken away .

With P also it is lost , and the P turned into F , as Filósofo , not Philósopho , which they must obserue that would write the Spanish toong aright in all that are like these .

Where Ue followeth H , it is pronounced as W , Huérto , an orchard : Huésso , a bone : Hue pronounced as Wue . pronounce Wuerto , Wuesso : or as if G went before thus , Gwerto , Gwesso , which I take to be more fit for the Englishmans pronounciacion for these and the like wordes .

That worde which beginneth with H , shall not haue H in the middle , except C goe before it , as in Hécho , made , Hechizár , to bewitch and the like .

I There be three kindes of I in the Spanish , that is small i , Greeke y , and j Jota , I three kinds . or consonant . These two i , y , with a verie small slender sounde , as the French and Italians doe , which is as the double ee in English , wee , shee , fee , decree , so in Spanish , Tiráno , a tirafit , A note for Englishmen . Teerano : Vida , life , Veeda , & not as Englishmen pronounce Teyráno , veida , which all other nations mislike in hearing them speaking Latine , saying , Propino tibi , they pronounce Propeino tibi , which I would wish they woulde but marke , and take notice thereof : for the French , Italian , and Spaniard , do learne and are taught by their Schoolemasters to pronounce the Latine different from their owne toong , otherwise one nation shoulde not vnderstand another speaking the Latine . But in this toong as in the Italian and French , they must obserue except they will fal into the vice of Iotacismus and be laughed at , and not be vnderstood by strangers when they speake or reade .

This small i is vsed in a worde as a vowell by it selfe , as Tinta , yncke , and in a diphthong , Small i. as Niéto , a nephew .

Y is put in the beginning of a worde before a vowell or consonant , as yo , ya , ýr , Y. and in the ende as Daréys , Podéys .

J jota or j consonant , which this toong taketh of the Arabique , is pronounced as in French , J pronounced like sh. Jamais , Deja , Jehan , in English like sh , as Jardín , a gardin , shardin , Járro , a pot sharro , ójo , an eie Osho : Hoja , a leafe , Hosha : Ovéja , a sheepe , Ouesha : Abéja , a bee , A besha : In Seuill and thereabout , they pronounce it not so much in the teeth , but more in the throate , as Cshardin , Csharro , Ozho , Hozha , Ovezha , Abezha .

Some authors in the Spanish write these wordes ( yet ill ) and the like , with H. Hierusalem , Hierónimo , which should be thus Jerusalem , Jerónimo .

K The Spaniard neuer vseth this letter but when it is required of the Greeke and proper names then founded as in the English , as Kalendas .

L , M , N , O , P. Are all pronounced as in the Latine , French , Italian , and iust as in English : But P may not be doubled in Spanish , P not doubled . P cast away . as Aprovar , to approoue , Apetíto , appetite , and not Approvár , Appetito . P before T in the middle of a worde lost , as Captívo , pronounce Cautívo , captiue .

Neither can L be doubled in Spanish when the worde commeth of the Latine , When L not doubled . When N not doubled . Nota. and keepeth the Latine sounde , as Ilústre , in Latine Illustris : Sílaba , in Latine Syllaba : Colégio Collegium . , So likewise of N , as Tiráno , not Tiránno , in Latine Tyrannus , but when these keepe not the sounde of the Latine , looke heereafter in double Ll , ñ , and there you shall finde howe they are pronounced .

Q Hath two pronunciations , not of his owne nature , but by reason of a vowell following him .

If ua follow as in Latine and English , Quantitie , Quarter , so in Spanish Quándo , when , Quartána , Quál .

But when ue or ui follow , it is to be pronounced as the Italian Che , Chi , or the French Que , Que , Qui pronounced as Ke , Ki. Qui , as English Ke , Ki , as Questión , a Question or quarrell , Kestion , Quieto , quiet , Kieto , except when the word is Latine , as Delinquente , Eloquente .

R With the Greekes and Latins termed Litera canina , so the Spaniard calleth him Letra perrina , the doggish letter , because dogs in grinning their teeth , when they would bite , sound this letter R. It is pronounced as the Latine , Italian , and French , but if it be in the beginning of a word it is sounded strongly , as the Grecians doe sound . The Spanyard saith Ráyo , a sun beane , Réy , a king , or if it be doubled in the middest of a word you cannot sound with too great vehemencie , as Bárro , Clay , Cárro , a Cart. But if it be in the middest of a word and single , with a gentle and milde pronunciation , as ara , an altar , Móro , a blacke Moore .

S With x. z. and ç. are pronounced ( although the one more plaine and sounding , and the rest lesse ) by putting the tongue to the roofe of the mouth , and then hissing out the voice with the lips open as a snake , S made like a snake doubled with his head lifted vp . and therfore the Greekes called this letter S by that hissing name , as also made it in fashion double as a snake , with his head lifted vp , accordingly is it made in Latine , Italian , and Spanish . In Spanish these letters are called Culebrinas , which is snakie , of Culébra , a snake , which vseth hissing .

This S in the beginning of a word as in Latine , Italian , and French , and as in English Sand , Seeth , Sin , Sod , Sudden , so in Spanish Sabér , Sembrár , Sóbra , Sudór .

But if S be single in the middest of a word betweene two vowels , then with a gentle sound almost like Z , as the French doe , adding thereby great grace to their tongue , as Eglise a Church , Cause , so in Spanish Causa , Rosa , úso , púso . But if it be doubled , then strongly , as in English Crossed , tossed , so in Spanish Fuéssemos gruésso .

Nota , S neuer in beginning of a word except a vowel follow . In the end of a word as Z , as Cártas , Letters , Cámaras , Chambers , or going to stoole . And note that this letter cannot be in the beginning of a word when a consonant next followeth . Therefore you must write Espéro , I hope , and not Spéro . Escrivo , I write , and not Scrivo .

T Is pronounced as in the Latine , Italian , French & English , except it can neuer sound ci , Ti neuer turned in Ci in Spanish , as in other tongues . as the Latins , Italians , French and English doe when after t followeth i with a vowell , as in Latine Prudentia , Italian Amicitia , French Justification , English Ambition , in Spanish it must be written Prudéncia , Amicícia , Justificatión , Ambición , otherwise the writing were false , and you should pronounce Ti as in Tibi .

Also if H follow T , as Theólogo , Theopómpo , write and pronounce Teólogo , Teopómpo .

U pronounced broad as ou . U Being a vowell not to be pronounced with a small sound as English , Stue , Brue , Crue , Issue , but as the French doth in his diphthong ou , almost as the English ou , as Tu , tou , Buche , the maw , Bouche . But being a consonant is pronounced as in other languages in the beginning of a word , as Váca , a Cow , Véna , a Veine , Víno , Wine , Vóto , a Vow , Vúlgo , the common people , in the middes of a word as Aváro , Gávia , úva . Also when two ou come togither , and a vowell following , the second is a consonant , as úvo , Túve , except Vuéstro .

X pronounced as sh. X and j written often in Spanish one for another . X Is one of the Culebrínas létras , the snakie or hissing letters , as aboue said in the letter S , and is pronounced like J consonant , and the Spanyard often writeth one for another , as Xaráue , sirrup , Jaráue , and is pronounced as the French Ch , as the English sh , as Faxa , a wastband , Brúxa , a hag , Flóxo , weake , Fasha , Brusha , Flosho .

Y As aboue in I.

Z Is called in Spanish Zéta , as the Hebrew Zain , from whence it is drawen , and from the Moorish tongue , and is pronounced as the English Z , as Zángano , a droane , Zélo , zeale , Zodiaco , the Zodiacke , so likewise in the end of a word , as Bóz , a voice , Crúz , a Crosse .

Ch as in English Ch. Ch Before any of the fiue vowels to be pronounced as in English , Chapman , Chiefely , Chicken , Chop , Choose : so in Spanish , Chamelóte , Chamlet : Chiminéa , a Chimney : Chórro , a brooke : Chúsma , a companie of people of the common sort .

Ll pronounced as Li. Ll As gl in Italian , as Cavagli , Moglie , Figli , as double Ll in French , as Fille , Coquille , as Li in English , as Lláno , plaine : Lléno , full : Llovér , to raine : Llúvia , raine : pronounce Liáno , Liéno , Liovér , Liuvia : so likewise in the middle of a worde , as Querrellóso , Kerrelioso , quarrelsome : in the end of a worde neuer in Spanish written double , as Mil , a thousande , not Mill.

ñ As the Italian and French gn , Montagna , Campagna , French Compaignon , Mignon , in English as ni : ñ pronounced as ni . as Montáña , a mountaine , Montania , Campáña Campania , , so Dáño , losse , Dannyo , Baño , a bath , Bannyo .