Johann Gottfried von Herder
Johann Gottfried von Herder was a seminal German philosopher, theologian, poet, and literary critic, associated with the Enlightenment, Sturm und Drang, and Weimar Classicism. He profoundly explored the origins and nature of language, establishing foundations for comparative philology. Herder championed language as a crucial element in shaping national identity and intricately linked linguistic studies with emerging political perspectives, advocating for a distinct national voice.