LL-L 'Morphology' 2006.07.22 (02) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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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
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L O W L A N D S - L * 22 July 2006 * Volume 02
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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Etymology 

Folks,

Dave Singleton's South Yorkshire version of the wren story
(http://lowlands-l.net/anniversary/s-yorkshire.php) reminds me that, were "was"
is used in Standard English, in some dialects of England, especially in northern
dialects, "was" and "were" for the third person singular coexist the way their
equivalents do in Low Saxon; e.g.,

It wer’ reel fierce an’ ’orrid.
("It WERE real fierce and horrid.")

Wenn ’e wen’ rahnd t’ bend theyr wuz e lie’en warkin’ elong.
("When he went round the bend there WAS a lion walking along.")

Bu ’t Ren wurn’t skaird. 
("But the Wren WEREn't scared.")

Northern Low Saxon _was_ ([vas]) or _weyr_ ([ve.I3`] ~ [vi:3`]) are synonymous,
their usage being determined by dialect; e.g.,

Hey WAS 'n bakker.
(He WAS 'n Backer)
"He WAS a baker."

Hey WEYR 'n bakker.
(He WEER 'n Backer)
"He WAS a baker."

Hey WAS nich suyk.
(He WAS nich süük.)
"He WASn't sick."

Hey WEYR nich suyk.
(He WEER nich süük.)
"He WASn't sick."

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron

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