I can imagine that it is academically interesting, Andrew, but I describe the
current (and previous) attempts to analyse the Big Bang as guesswork. This
description is based on watching documentaries on TV and on listening to their
reasoning during that sort of show. I’d admit to its being informed guesswork,
really. I remember the day at school when I realised that maths in some
instances was trial and error . . .
But I do find the study of linguistics interesting (without a blmmin’ smart
board).
Chris
On 21 Mar 2014, at 21:34, Andrew Fildes <afildes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> I think 'guessing' is too pejorative a term for this endeavour. He's
> theorising, based on very good evidence and deep research. I'm guessing about
> what I'll be given for lunch.
> There are many present day clues in extant dialects which have preserved such
> sounds and vocal styles, thanks to isolation and deliberate resistance. The
> difference between the northern short 'a' and southern long 'a' is not dealt
> with by him but is very distinct and a real class divider. Geordies still
> pronounce both vowels in the 'boat' dipthong and the Canadian dipthong is one
> I'd noticed before. Think also of the Scots pronunciation of 'house' as
> 'huis'.
> Then of course there is the pronunciation of some place names which are more
> resistant to change - 'Darby' for Derby, 'Shrowsbury' for Shrewsbury and so
> on.
> It's like wrestling with fog of course but some very intelligent people, such
> as this gentleman, have spent a lot of time working it out. I really enjoyed
> trying to learn to recite Chaucer in the original, ohsomany years ago.
--
_________________________________________________________________
Options: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/listinfo/olympus
Archives: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/private/olympus/
Themed Olympus Photo Exhibition: http://www.tope.nl/
|