LL-L "Etymology" 2004.09.10 (08) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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L O W L A N D S - L * 10.SEP.2004 (08) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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A=Afrikaans Ap=Appalachian B=Brabantish D=Dutch E=English F=Frisian
L=Limburgish LS=Lowlands Saxon (Low German) N=Northumbrian
S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic V=(West)Flemish Z=Zeelandic (Zeêuws)
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From: Ruth & Mark Dreyer <mrdreyer at lantic.net>
Subject: LL-L "Etymology" 2004.09.13 (05) [E]

Dear Gary, Henry & All,

Subject: Etymology

> Why is it assumed that skates is borrowed from Dutch?
> In my Saxon dialect we say "skaatse", whereas the
> Dutch word is "schaats". If it's borrowed from Dutch,
> wouldn't it be more likely that the English word would
> be "shate(s)"? Saxon however already has the k in it,
> so that looks more obvious to me."

> It could well be from Saxon and not from Dutch,
> however, the 'sch' of Dutch for English ears is closer
> to English 'sk' than English 'sh'. Many English people
> have problems with the 'ch' /x/ sound and substitute
> it with k - compare Scots 'loch' which is often
> pronounced 'lock' by English people.

I rather think the term goes back to the ancestor of all these tongues. I
wager it was a skill practiced long before Teutons came to Britain, & they
brought it & the word (& the pronunciation) for it with them.

What chance is there that the Nederlands 's(k)' underwent subsequent
mutation to 's(x)'?

Yrs, Mark.

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