Anton thor Helle facts for kids
Anton thor Helle (born on November 7, 1683, in Tallinn – died on April 24, 1748, in Jüri) was an important person in Estonian history. He is best known for translating the very first Bible into the Estonian language in 1739. He also created the first grammar book for the Estonian language.
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Who Was Anton thor Helle?
Anton thor Helle was a linguist and a translator. He lived in the 18th century. His work helped make the Estonian language more standardized. This meant that people could read and write Estonian more easily.
Early Life and Education
Helle was born in Tallinn, which is now the capital city of Estonia. Not much is known about his early life. However, his later work shows he was very skilled in languages.
The First Estonian Bible
Helle's biggest achievement was translating the Bible into Estonian. Before his work, parts of the Bible had been translated. But Helle's version was the first complete Bible in Estonian.
- This Bible was published in 1739.
- It was a huge step for the Estonian language and culture.
- It helped many people in Estonia read the Bible in their own language.
How the Bible Translation Happened
Helle's translation of the New Testament was based on an earlier version. This earlier version was from 1648 by Johannes Gutslaff. Gutslaff was another important linguist. He wrote a book about Estonian grammar.
Helle carefully checked and updated Gutslaff's work. He made sure the language was clear and correct for his time. His Bible version was later revised many times. This shows how important and lasting his work was.
The First Estonian Grammar Book
Besides the Bible, Anton thor Helle also wrote the first grammar book for the Estonian language.
- A grammar book explains the rules of a language.
- It teaches how words are formed and how sentences are put together.
- This book was very helpful for learning and teaching Estonian.
Why Grammar Books Are Important
Having a grammar book helped make Estonian a more formal language. It gave people a standard way to write and speak. This was important for schools and for publishing books.
Helle's Legacy
Anton thor Helle's work had a lasting impact. He helped preserve and develop the Estonian language. His Bible translation is still a significant historical text.
- His work helped shape the Estonian language as we know it today.
- He is remembered as a key figure in Estonian literature and linguistics.
