LL-L "Resources" 2005.07.21 (11) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

======================================================================
L O W L A N D S - L * 21.JUL.2005 (11) * 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
Commands ("signoff lowlands-l" etc.): listserv at listserv.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: Ian Pollock <ispollock at shaw.ca>
Subject: LL-L "Resources" 2005.07.21 (07) [E]

> Btw: what or who is / was SWADESH?

The Swadesh List was named after and invented by the American linguist
Morris Swadesh. It's a list of "basic" words (usually 100) common in
almost all languages, such as "mother", "house", "ground", "she". The
idea is that you compile these lists for several languages and then
classify them as related or non-related on the basis of how many words
are the same. So, for example, if you were trying to decide whether
Ukrainian and Russian were related, your Swadesh list might look like
this:

English                 Ukrainian                      Russian

mother                 мати  (maty)                 мать (mat')
house хата (khata) дом (dom)
ground земля (zEmlja) земля (zjemlja)
she вона (vona) она (ona)

3/4 ain't bad.

That's the idea of the Swadesh list.

It is of course controversial due to the consequences of borrowing and
simple coincidence.
Hope that helps!

-Ian Pollock

==============================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.
======================================================================