LL-L "Syntax" 2004.01.06 (10) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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L O W L A N D S - L * 06.FEB.2004 (10) * 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) N=Northumbrian
S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic V=(West)Flemish Z=Zeelandic (Zeêuws)
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From: Holger Weigelt <platt at holger-weigelt.de>
Subject: "Syntax"

> From: M.Verhagen <M.Verhagen at let.kun.nl>
> Subject: Diachrone syntax
>
> Dear Lowlands-L members,
>
> I am studying the introduction of the reflexive form "zich" in Middle
Dutch.
> At that time one could say:
>
> (1) Hij wast hem.
>      He washes him.
>
> Meaning either: He washes himself or He washes somone else.
>
> Later on, the lexeme 'zich' came into the Dutch/Lower Saxonian dialects
and
> disambiguated the sentence above:
>
> (2) Hij wast hem.
>      He washes him.
>
> (3) Hij wast zichzelf.
>     He washes himself.
>
> Nowadays, however, some dialects in the Netherlands still have 'older'
> forms, like HEMZELF, or just HEM. I was wondering, not just for Dutch, but
> for the whole variety of Lowlands Languages, which reflexive/reciprocal
> forms do occur nowadays and what would be even more interesting: what
> reflexives/reciprocals did occur in earlier times??
>
> Many thanks in advance,
>
> Michel Verhagen

Hello Michel !
The corresponding sentences in Eastern Friesland Low Saxon are:
häi waskert hum - he washes him
and:
häi waskert sük (sül[ven]st*) - he washes himself
but "hum" can also mean "himself" in a reflexive way.
In the case of "häi waskert hum" it will nowadays mostly be understood as
"he washes him" but for example in a sentence like "häi nājt hum d'r
fandöör" the only possible understanding is "he (himself) runs away" or:
"häi gallert hum d'r up dól" = "he is beating something furiously".
* some say "sülst" others "sülvens[t]" (spoken: zYlmst)
Greetings
Holger

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