Do these notes by Ada Lovelace count" 'The bounds of arithmetic were however outstepped the moment the idea of applying the cards had occurred; and the Analytical Engine does not occupy common ground with mere “calculating machines.” It holds a position wholly its own; and the considerations it suggests are most interesting in their nature. In enabling mechanism to combine together general symbols in successions of unlimited variety and extent, a uniting link is established between the operations of matter and the abstract mental processes of the most abstract branch of mathematical science. A new, a vast, and a powerful language is developed for the future use of analysis, in which to wield its truths so that these may become of more speedy and accurate practical application for the purposes of mankind than the means hitherto in our possession have rendered possible. Thus not only the mental and the material, but the theoretical and the practical in the mathematical world, are brought into more intimate and effective connexion with each other. We are not aware of its being on record that anything partaking in the nature of what is so well designated the Analytical Engine has been hitherto proposed, or even thought of, as a practical possibility, any more than the idea of a thinking or of a reasoning machine' [emphasis added] https://www.fourmilab.ch/babbage/sketch.html Her use of "language" here seems to be specific to the expression of computation and reasoning. - Bill ________________________________ From: members-bounces@sigcis.org [members-bounces@sigcis.org] on behalf of Marie Gevers [marie.gevers@unamur.be] Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2014 4:13 AM To: members Subject: [SIGCIS-Members] Origin of 'language'? I wonder by whom and when the word 'language' was used for the first time in the framework of computer sciences. Can anybody enlighten me? Thanks in advance. Marie -- [cid:part1.03020706.06070701@unamur.be] Prof. Marie d'UDEKEM-GEVERS Chargée de cours Conseillère à la formation Professeure invitée au Collège Belgique Faculté d'Informatique et Centre d'Etudes Sciences et PHIlosophie à Namur (ESPHIN) Centre de Recherche Information, Droit & Société (CRIDS) T. +32 (0)81 724 973 F. +32 (0)81 724 967 marie.gevers@unamur.be<mailto:marie.gevers@unamur.be> http://www.unamur.be/universite/personnes/page_view/01001574/ http://www.academieroyale.be/cgi?usr=bb58g68qxq&lg=fr&pag=919&tab=111&rec=513&frm=368&par=secorig1018&id=5337&flux=83265846 Université de Namur ASBL Rue de Bruxelles 61 - 5000 Namur Belgique Let’s respect the environment together. Only print this message if necessary!
