The Indo-European Hypothesis [was Re: The NeolithicHypothesis]-Second post

[X99Lynx at aol.com]

In a message dated 5/11/99 5:50:34 PM, fortytwo at ufl.edu wrote:

<<X99Lynx at aol.com wrote:
Also, the traits of a particular microbe do not transfer to other unrelated
strains.  If common traits, they develop independently.  In language,
effective traits can be borrowed in their full maturity.

Actually, that is a common feature of microbes and language.  Viruses
and bacteria can mix genes.>>

Notice I said traits.  Must note here first of all that genes and traits are
not the same thing.  Very important difference.  In most instances,
transferred genetic material in bacteria do not affect the traits manifested
in the individual organism.  The transfer only becomes effective after
reproduction.  The gene changes, but the current traits do not.  (And of
course the transference of genes between strains is limited; it does not
happen between all strains of bacteria and is qualified by the viability of
the resulting traits.  Viruses are a difference matter altogether.)

As far as the analogy with language goes, within a single generation, a
sheepherder can turn into a computer programmer - or a French speaker into an
English speaker.  But a single generation is not enough to turn an e.coli
amicus into an e. coli virilus or a sheep into a computer programmer.

Regards,
Steve Long