rm or accent of a word has been not unfrequently
altered when there is a difference of meaning. The difference of gender
in nouns is utilized for the same reason. New meanings of words push
themselves into the vacant spaces of language and retire when they are
no longer needed. Language equally abhors vacancy and superfluity. But
the remedial measures by which both are eliminated are not due to any
conscious action of the human mind; nor is the force exerted by them
constraining or necessary.

(7) We have shown that language, although subject to laws, is far from
being of an exact and uniform nature. We may now speak briefly of the
faults of language. They may be compared to the faults of Geology, in
which different strata cross one another or meet at an angle, or mix
with one another either by slow transitions or by violent convulsions,
leaving many lacunae which can be no longer filled up, and often
becoming so complex that no true explanation of them can be given. So in
language there are the cross influences of meaning and sound, of logic
and grammar, of differing analogies, of words and the inflexions of
words, which often come into conflict with each other. The grammarian,
if he were to form new words, would make them all of the same pattern
according to what he conceives to be the rule, that is, the more common
usage of language. The subtlety of nature goes far beyond art, and it is
complicated by irregularity, so that often we can hardly say that there
is a right or wrong in the formation of words. For almost any formation
which is not at variance with the first principles of language is
possible and may be defended.

The imperfection of language is really due to the formation and
correlation of words by accident, that is to say, by principles which
are unknown to us. Hence we see why Plato, like ourselves unable to
comprehend the whole of language, was constrained to 'supplement the
poor creature imitation by another poor creature convention.' But the
poor creature convention in the end proves too much for all the rest:
for we do not ask what is the origin of words or whether they are formed
according to a correct analogy, but what is the usage of them; and we
are compelled to admit with Hermogenes in Plato and with Horace that
usage is the ruling principle, 'quem penes arbitrium est, et jus et
norma loquendi.'

(8) There are two ways in which a language may attain permanence or
fixity. First, it may have be