Semantic change

[Patrick C. Ryan]

Dear Lloyd and IEists:

 ----- Original Message -----
From: <ECOLING at aol.com>
Sent: Monday, July 19, 1999 10:08 AM

> A less plausible semantic relation means that two
> look-alikes are less plausible as cognates.
> But requiring "identity" of meanings or even
> "near-identity" of meanings is an absurd
> requirement also, when we are working at great
> time depths.

> So what to do?
> Asserting simplistic extremes either for or against
> is not particularly useful.

Pat responds:

I agree completely. It is the subjectivity of the permissible limits that
militates against a consensus. It is the frustration of this situation that
has prompted well-intentioned researchers to insist on identity, which, as
you correctly identify, is also problematical. I sincerely wish there was
some mechanical or mathematical way to set these limits --- if only as I
check on some of my own wilder flights of fancy.

Pat

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