LL-L "Numerals" 2005.02.13 (01) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

======================================================================
L O W L A N D S - L * 13.FEB.2005 (01) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
http://www.lowlands-l.net * lowlands-l at lowlands-l.net
Rules & Guidelines: http://www.lowlands-l.net/index.php?page=rules
Posting: lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org or lowlands-l at lowlands-l.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.]
=======================================================================
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 (Zeêuws)
=======================================================================

From: James Campbell <james at zolid.com>
Subject: LL-L "Numerals" 2005.02.12 (05) [E]

Domhnall Seaghdha eskrë »

> While English "twelve" does represent the same number as the Persian
> "davozdah" or 2 + 10, the "construction" of the term or word to represent
> that number is indeed different...

Interesting to read your dissertation on counting in 10s vs 12s... IIRC, the
Germanic words for 11 and 12 reflect the concept of "one left [over after
ten]", "two left [over after ten]". This still, to me, reflects a base-10
mentality, but I have no way of backing this up. :)

[Tangentially, the Finnish and Estonian words for eight and nine basically
mean "two less than ten" and "one less than ten", which is rather curious.]

James

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
James Campbell
james at zolid.com  www.zolid.com
Boring, but a cool boring.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

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