LL-L "Language learning" 2008.03.23 (06) [E]

[Lowlands-L List]

=======================================================================

 L O W L A N D S - L * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226

 http://www.lowlands-l.net * lowlands.list at gmail.com

 Rules & Guidelines: http://www.lowlands-l.net/rules.php

 Posting: lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org - lowlands.list at gmail.com

 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.]

 Administration: lowlands.list at gmail.com or sassisch at yahoo.com


 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 (Zeeuws)

=======================================================================

 ========================================================================
L O W L A N D S - L  - 23 March 2008 - Volume 06
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please set the encoding mode to Unicode (UTF-8).
If viewing this in a web browser, please click on
the html toggle at the bottom of the archived page.
 ========================================================================

From: Sandy Fleming <sandy at scotstext.org>
Subject: LL-L "Language Learning"

As you will have noticed, sometimes the etymology of a word is so
self-evident that there can be no argument.

For example, the English word "parent" is obviously from "pay rent",
because that's what the parents do and the children don't have to.

As another example, the French "caoutchouc" reflects the fact that
French cows chew rubber, there can clearly be no better explanation.

Though maybe not related to true etymology, this sort of "amateur
etymology" (not that there aren't amateurs who are actually excellent
etymologists), does have its uses in language learning when it comes to
vocabulary building, as a temporary memory prop.

I'm wondering if there's a word or succint phrase expressing the idea of
"etymology deliberately made up as a memory aid in language-learning"?

I'm asking because, as I've mentioned before, this sort of thing is rife
amongst learners of sign languages and the boundary between fabricated
etymologies and true etymologies is much harder to discern than in
spoken languages. I would really like to have a term (or sign, rather,
but a spoken language term would be a good start), that I can use to
differentiate between real and imaginary etymology.

Sandy Fleming
http://scotstext.org/

•

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

*********************************************************************
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://listserv.linguistlist.org/pipermail/lowlands-l/attachments/20080323/0f43bd6e/attachment.htm>