The English language, rich with history, often holds surprising twists and turns in the meanings of its words. One such intriguing case is the verb “learn.” It’s commonly understood to mean “to gain knowledge or skill by studying, experience, or being taught.” However, a less familiar, archaic sense of “learn” exists, which sometimes causes confusion. This older meaning is not just a historical curiosity; it still subtly echoes in certain dialects and idiomatic expressions today.
Delving into the Historical Roots of “Learn” as “Teach”
While many might assume the idea of “learn” meaning “to teach” is a modern error, linguistic history reveals a different story. Historically, “learn” did indeed carry the meaning of imparting knowledge, essentially acting as a synonym for “teach.” This usage is not just a recent misunderstanding but is rooted in the older stages of the English language.
Evidence of “learn” in the sense of “teach” can be traced back through centuries of English writing. While the acquisition-of-knowledge sense of “learn” is documented as far back as the Old English period with figures like Bede, the impartation-of-knowledge sense also has respectable historical credentials. It emerges in Middle English writings, including Wycliffe’s Bible, demonstrating its accepted usage among educated writers of the time.
Dialectal Persistence and the Idiomatic Echo
Today, dictionaries often label this “teach” meaning of “learn” as “vulgar” or “archaic.” This designation highlights that while it’s no longer considered standard English, it hasn’t vanished entirely. Instead, it persists in certain dialects, showcasing the fascinating regional variations within the English language.
Furthermore, this archaic sense subtly lives on in idiomatic phrases. The classic example, “That’ll learn them!”, is a prime illustration. Sentences like “Shoot all criminals – that’ll learn them!” might sound grammatically incorrect to some, but they are rooted in this older meaning of “learn.” The humor often perceived in such expressions doesn’t necessarily stem from grammatical error but rather from the deliberate use of a less formal, dialectal form of language.
Consider the phrase “that’ll learn you.” Even speakers who wouldn’t normally use “learn” to mean “teach” might employ this expression or its variants like “that’ll learn them.” It carries a sense of informal reprimand or consequence, subtly invoking the archaic meaning. The humor arises not from being incorrect, but from consciously adopting an informal, dialect-influenced expression.
Humorous and Literary Applications of the Archaic “Learn”
Beyond dialects and idioms, the “teach” sense of “learn” can also be employed for deliberate stylistic effect. Authors sometimes use it to create humorous characterizations or to reflect realistic speech patterns.
P.G. Wodehouse, known for his comedic writing, provides an example in his portrayal of upper-class characters. When one of his characters remarks about the public school system, “If you ask me, they don’t learn the little perishers nothing,” the humor derives partly from the use of “learn” in this non-standard way, suggesting a deliberately uneducated or colloquial tone.
Conversely, Mark Twain, in his writing, utilizes this sense not for direct humor but for realistic portrayal. When he writes, “Then he remarked that he had undertaken to ‘learn’ me all about a steamboat, and had done it,” the quotation marks signal a distancing from the narrator’s standard usage. However, it simultaneously acknowledges and reports a realistic, albeit non-standard, use of “learn” as “teach.”
Conclusion: Appreciating the Nuances of “Learned Meaning”
In conclusion, while the primary “Learned Meaning” of “learn” today revolves around acquiring knowledge, it’s crucial to recognize and understand its historical and dialectal counterpart. The archaic sense of “learn” as “teach” is not simply a mistake but a fascinating relic of linguistic history that continues to resonate in dialects, idioms, and literary expressions. Understanding this “learned meaning” enriches our appreciation for the dynamic and evolving nature of the English language.
