Sociological Linguistics

[Patrick C. Ryan]

Dear Joat and IEists:

 ----- Original Message -----
From: <JoatSimeon at aol.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 1999 12:48 PM

>>Patrick C. Ryan

>> As far as language change is concerned, there is no observable process in
>> this universe which is not, at least potentially, understandable,

Joat responded:

> -- that's not the issue.  You have been arguing that languages change in a
> particular direction; ie., that they become more complex, less ambiguous,
> and more expressive.

[ moderator snip ]

Pat responds:

I have not been asserting that languages "become more complex, less
ambiguous, and more expressive". I have asserted only that the
proto-language, which was simple,  became more complex, less ambiguous, and
more expressive over time.

Frankly, it amazes me that you cannot see the difference between the two
statements. I have never asserted that there is an inevitable direction of
movement but only that any complex phenomenon must spring from simpler
roots.

Pat

PATRICK C. RYAN (501) 227-9947; FAX/DATA (501)312-9947 9115 W. 34th St.
Little Rock, AR 72204-4441 USA WEBPAGES:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/2803 and PROTO-RELIGION:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/2803/proto-religion/indexR.html "Veit
ek, at ek hekk, vindga meipi, nftr allar nmu, geiri undapr . . . a ~eim
meipi er mangi veit hvers hann af rstum renn." (Havamal 138)