LL-L "Syntax" 2002.12.16 (04) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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 L O W L A N D S - L * 16.DEC.2002 (04) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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 A=Afrikaans Ap=Appalachian B=Brabantish D=Dutch E=English F=Frisian
 L=Limburgish LS=Lowlands Saxon (Low German) S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic
               V=(West)Flemish Z=Zeelandic (Zeêuws)
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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Syntax

Dear Lowlanders,

I wonder if some of you are interested in revisiting once again the topic of
double negation and exploring triple negation, these being commonly regarded
as being features of unsophisticated or substandard speech modes but are
grammatically prescribed or at least acceptable in some standard varieties
(e.g., in Afrikaans in the Lowlands group).

In Northern Lowlands Saxon (Low German), double negation may occur with
_nich_ ([nIC]) ~ _ni_ ([nI]) ~_neet_ ([nE.It]) ~ _naait_ ([na.It]) ‘not’
if a phrase contains a negative pronoun or adverb, and this form of double
negation is mandatory if negation is stressed; e.g.,

(1)
Nüms (~ keeneen) snackt mit Lies’.
(“Nobody (~ no one) talks with Elizabeth.”)
‘Nobody talks with Elisabeth.’

(2)
Nüms (~ keeneen) snackt nich mit Lies’.
(“Nobody (~ no one) talks not with Elizabeth.”)
‘Nobody does talk with Elisabeth.’

(3)
Mit Lies’ wardt nie (nich) snackt.
(“With Elizabeth is never (not) talked.” [impersonal passive])
‘One doesn’t talk with Elizabeth.’

(4)
Mit Lies’ wardt nie nich snackt.
(“With Elizabeth is never not talked.” [impersonal passive]))
‘One doesn’t ever talk with Elizabeth.’

I suppose those of you who know Afrikaans or certain non-standard varieties
of other Lowlands languages are familiar with this sort of structure and
understand that using a second negative does not cancel/negate the other
negative.  (I was tempted to provide Afrikaans equivalents but decided to
let others do so if they wish.)

In Sorbian (~ Lusatian ~ "Wendish", a group of West Slavonic varieties now
unique to Germany), including the two standard varieties, double negation
and even triple negation is mandatory and does not lead to cancellation or
double-cancellation; e.g., Standard Upper Sorbian:

(5)
Nichtó z Hilžu nihdy njerĕči.
(“Nobody (~ no one) with Elizabeth never not-talks.”)
(“Nobody doesn’t never not talk with Elizabeth.” = ungrammatical)
(“Nobody never talks with Elizabeth.” = marginally substandard)
‘Nobody ever talks with Elizabeth.’

In Lowlands Saxon this can be grammatical, albeit perhaps marginally so to
some listeners:

(6)
Nüms (~ keeneen) snackt nie nich mit Lies’.
(“Nobody (~ no one) talks never not with Elizabeth.”)
‘Nobody ever talks with Elizabeth.’ [?]

To me it “feels” emphatically negative (“nobody never ever ...”).  To some
listeners there may be emphatic cancellation here, though I am not sure:
“There isn’t anybody that never talks with Elizabeth.” =
“Everybody talks (~ does talk) with Elizabeth.”

Probably constructions 1-4 above would be clearer, hence preferable.  What
do others think?  How does this sort of thing play out in other Lowlands
varieties?

Thanks in advance.

Reinhard/Ron

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