The Single Parent Question

[proto-language]

Dear Larry and IEists:

 ----- Original Message -----
From: "Larry Trask" <larryt at cogs.susx.ac.uk>
Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2001 9:54 AM

[ moderator snip ]

[LT]

> First, the methodology of comparative linguistics is not used in any other
> discipline, and certainly not in physics, computing or economics.
> Therefore Steve cannot possibly have any "familiarity" with it in other
> disciplines.

> Second, Joat is quite right in his response.  This is not snobbishness:
> it's just the plain truth.  Steve has no right to question our methodology,
> because he has no experience of it, and apparently no understanding of it.
> The sole basis for Steve's objections appears to be that he doesn't like
> our conclusions.

<snip>

[PCR]

I do not wish to get into a prolonged discussion of this issue because,
frankly, we all have better fish to fry.

However . . .

Albeit I certainly agree with much that you write, I continue to think it is a
mistake to pretend that linguistic methodology is so unique. Any science that
looks at different expressions of anything, and attempts to reason backwards to
what the parent expression might be, is analogous to linguistics --- in my
opinion.

Moreover, I continue to believe that in many of his questions, Steve is
questioning the quality of the logic employed not the data or actual
methodology.

It is obvious that you disagree. So shall we simply agree to disagree?

Pat

PATRICK C. RYAN | PROTO-LANGUAGE at email.msn.com (501) 227-9947 * 9115 W. 34th
St. Little Rock, AR 72204-4441 USA WEBPAGES: PROTO-LANGUAGE:
http://www.geocities.com/proto-language/ and PROTO-RELIGION:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/2803/proto-religion/indexR.html "Veit ec
at ec hecc, vindgá meiði a netr allar nío, geiri vndaþr . . . a þeim
meiþi, er mangi veit, hvers hann af rótom renn." (Hávamál 138)