LL-L "Grammar" 2002.05.29 (01) [E]
Lowlands-L
sassisch at yahoo.com
Thu May 30 00:31:57 UTC 2002
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L O W L A N D S - L * 29.MAY.2002 (01) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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A=Afrikaans Ap=Appalachian D=Dutch E=English F=Frisian L=Limburgish
LS=Low Saxon (Low German) S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic Z=Zeelandic (Zeeuws)
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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Grammar
Dear Lowlanders,
I would like to invite you to help me explore the Lowlandic uses of 'to
do' as an auxiliary verb. I am interested in finding out what its
development, spread and permutations are, but I would be interested in
other aspects as well. Approaching it from the angles of Modern Low
Saxon (LS, "Low German"), Missingsch (M, i.e., German dialects on Low
Saxon substrates) and Modern English, and noticing considerable
similarities, I cannot help wondering if we are dealing with a Saxon
feature or if the feature is more widely spread than that.
According to my own observations and also according to my deduction from
what has been written about it, the use of (/dou-/) _doon_ ([do.Un] ~
[deoUn]) ~ _daun_ ([da.Un] ~ [deaUn]) 'to do' (forms in footnote*) as an
auxiliary verb in Low Saxon is to emphasize or "highlight" or contrast
the main verb. The auxiliary verb comes to occupy the syntactic slot of
the main verb.
(A)
In ordinary emphatic constructions, the infinitive form of the main verb
then goes to the end of the sentence (or phrase). Examples (G =
Standard German):
(1.A)
LS: Ik wüss nich, dat 't daar ook SNEET.
M: Ich hab nich gewusst, dass 'as da auch SCHNEIT.
G: Ich wusste nicht, dass es dort auch SCHNEIT.
I didn't know that it SNOWS there too.
(1.B)
LS: Ik wüss nich, dat 't daar ook SNEEN DEIT.
M: Ich hab nich gewusst, dass 'as da auch SCHNEIN TUT.
G: Ich wusste nicht, dass es dort auch *SCHNEIT*!
I didn't know that it *SNOWS* there too!
(2.A)
LS: Man wenn ik dat so BEDINK, denn WEET ik dat nich för wiss.
M: Man wenn ich das so BEDENK, denn WEISS ich das nich richtich.
G: Aber wenn ich es so BEDENKE, (dann) WEISS ich es nicht so recht,
But when I (really) THINK ABOUT it, I don't KNOW it for sure.
(2.B)
LS: Man wenn ik dat so BEDINKEN DO, denn DO ik dat nich för wiss WETEN.
M: Man wenn ich das so BEDENK, denn TU ich das nich richtich WISSEN.
G: Aber wenn ich es so *BEDENKE*, (dann) *WEISS* ich es nicht so recht.
But when I (really) *THINK* ABOUT it, I don't *KNOW* it for sure.
(B)
In topicalization constructions (which I consider a form of emphasis),
the infinitive form of the main verb then goes to the beginning of the
sentence (or phrase). (This would be similar to _wa_-marking in
Japanese.) The main verb comes to be highlighted in contrast with
implied alternatives (e.g., "RUN I don't (but WALK I do)").
(1.A)
LS: Dat SNEET daar ook af un an.
M: Das SCHNEIT da auch ab un an.
G: Es SCHNEIT dort auch gelegentlich.
It SNOWS there too once in a while.
(1.A)
LS: SNEEN DEIT dat daar ook af un an.
M: SCHNEIN TUT 'as da auch ab un an.
G: Es *SCHNEIT* dort gelegentlich auch. ~
SCHNEIEN TUT es dort gelegentlich auch.
It *SNOWS* there too once in a while.
(2.A)
LS: He SNACKT man bloots tohuus' Platt.
M: Er SCHNACKT man bloß zuhause Platt.
G: Er SPRICHT nur zuhause Platt.
He SPEAKS Low Saxon only at home.
(2.B)
LS: PLATTSNACKEN(, dat) DEIT he man bloots tohuus'.
M: PLATTSCHNACKEN(, das) TUT er man bloß zuhause.
G: Er SPRICHT nur zuhause Platt. ~
Platt SPRECHEN TUT er nur zuhause.
As for SPEAKING Low Saxon, he only DOES that at home.
Please also consider verb emphasis by means of 'to do' in English.
(1)
A: Please come in!
B: Please DO come in!
(2)
A: She speaks some Scots.
B: She DOES speak some Scots.
Note also that the use of 'to do' has become obligatory in Modern
English interrogative structures; e.g.,
(EATEST thou oatmeal? > DOST thou EAT oatmeal? >)
DO you EAT oatmeal?
Cf.:
A:
LS: ITTST du Havergrütt?
M: ISST du Hafergrütze?
B:
LS: DAIST du Havergrütt ETEN?
M: TUST du Hafergrütze ESSEN?
To me, A and B can convey the same meaning ('Do you eat oatmeal?').
However, within certain contexts and with intonational emphasis on the
main verb, B (and also archaic English "Dost thou eat oatmeal?") could
render the main verb emphatic or contrastive ('Do you *eat* oatmeal (as
opposed to, say, use it as glue)?).
Any input would be most welcome.
Regards,
Reinhard/Ron
__________
* Present: Preterite:
ik do ~ dau.....................de ~ dä**
du deist***.....................deest ~ dääst**
he deit***......................de ~ dä**
se deit***......................de ~ dä**
dat deit***......................de ~ dä**
wi doot ~ doon ~ daut ~ daun....deen ~ dään**
ji doot ~ doon ~ daut ~ daun....deen ~ dään**
se doot ~ doon ~ daut ~ daun....deen ~ dään**
Past Participle: /daan/ _daan_
** _de..._ ~ _dä..._ [de:] ~ [dE:]
*** _dei..._ [da.I]
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