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Joined: Aug 2005
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290 |
His argument on the Welsh influence is based on the use of what he calls the meaningless "do", in particular in questions and the negative.
Seems a mighty slim peg to hang such a pronouncement on. I'd have to look at his argument and then at Welsh. Any idea what other historical linguists have to say about it?
Is the ablaut used to mark tense in any non-Germanic languages?
Yes, but not only. It was originally something to do with the change from a tone system to a stress system of accent. You can see traces of ablaut in IE languages such as latin, Greek, and Sanskrit.
And, come to think of it, what were those Semites doing mingling with the Germans?
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 724
old hand
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OP
old hand
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 724 |
I would hope it is not too complicated.
It probably is for the likes of us. The thing to do is not to be fazed by what don't understand and try to understand a bit more than you do.
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
Any idea what other historical linguists have to say about it? He does admit it's controversial. You'd have to read the book but remember, it's not written for linguists. I forget if it has references to any of his more detailed studies.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290 |
He does admit it's controversial.
I also wonder if he based his observations on Modern Welsh or Old or Middle Welsh. It's quite possible that the periphrastic do formation entered Welsh from English. (The thing to do would be to speak with a couple of Celticists or Welsh philologists.)
It seems to me that do not V for V not is something that started to happened around early Modern English (16th century CE). The more I ponder it, the less seriously I take it.
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,944 Likes: 3 |
I would hope it is not too complicated.
It probably is for the likes of us. The thing to do is not to be fazed by what don't understand and try to understand a bit more than you do. Really good advice. Thanks.
----please, draw me a sheep----
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 963
old hand
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old hand
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 963 |
I've just ordered it, so I'll know soon enough.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,944 Likes: 3 |
Still on my wish list: finances !
----please, draw me a sheep----
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