LL-L "Numerals" 2005.02.13 (05) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

======================================================================
L O W L A N D S - L * 13.FEB.2005 (05) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
http://www.lowlands-l.net * lowlands-l at lowlands-l.net
Rules & Guidelines: http://www.lowlands-l.net/index.php?page=rules
Posting: lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org or lowlands-l at lowlands-l.net
Server Manual: http://www.lsoft.com/manuals/1.8c/userindex.html
Archives: http://listserv.linguistlist.org/archives/lowlands-l.html
Encoding: Unicode (UTF-8) [Please switch your view mode to it.]
=======================================================================
You have received this because you have been subscribed upon request.
To unsubscribe, please send the command "signoff lowlands-l" as message
text from the same account to listserv at listserv.linguistlist.org or
sign off at http://linguistlist.org/subscribing/sub-lowlands-l.html.
=======================================================================
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)
=======================================================================

From: heather rendall <HeatherRendall at compuserve.com>
Subject: LL-L "Numerals" 2005.02.13 (01) [E]

French doesn't start counting in 20s ( or scores) until it gets past 60,
when 70 = 60+ 10 etc
Up until then it happily counts in 10s

In Switzerland and Belgium it continues to count in 10s     septante
octante  nonante  instead of soixante- dix   quatre-vingts
quatre-vingt-dix

What is intriguing is that it also changes its system in the teens when it
gets to 16:  from the -ze ending   onze douze treize quatorze quinze seize
to adding the unit to the ten    dix-sept   dix-huit  dix-neuf

What is it about '6' that makes the French want to change its method of
visualising number.

Add to this that Welsh used to count in 20s   ugain   ddau ugain  etc  ,
could one suggest that in French numbers one is seeing a battle between
grass roots latin and gaulish, in which they come to a compromise?

Heather

PS Persia surely counted in 60s  or in multiples    hence the number of
degrees in a circle and the number of seconds and minutes

==============================END===================================
* Please submit postings to lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org.
* Postings will be displayed unedited in digest form.
* Please display only the relevant parts of quotes in your replies.
* Commands for automated functions (including "signoff lowlands-l") are
  to be sent to listserv at listserv.linguistlist.org or at
  http://linguistlist.org/subscribing/sub-lowlands-l.html.
=======================================================================