LL-L "Grammar" 2010.12.15 (06) [EN]

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L O W L A N D S - L - 15 December 2010 - Volume 06
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From: pbarrett <pbarrett at cox.net>

Subject: LL-L "Grammar" 2010.12.15 (05) [EN]



When you say, "How did that system get into English" are you referring to
do-support, i.e. the use of 'do' to form questions?

If so, every book I've read says we don't know, but recently John McWhorter
has made a case in a popular book titled Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue for
it coming from Celtic. As I recall, he cites the on-going enmity between
Celts and the English as the reason for playing down the Celtic origin.
(note: "as I recall"... I loaned the book out and do not have it handy to
double check that last comment about enmity).



Given McWhorter's standing in linguistics, I would take that seriously, and,
I believe, in the book he cites a professional article he wrote on the
subject.



Re: inversion with 'have': I associate that with older, educated,
'cultivated' people in the U.S. but would not put it in the mouths of
average speakers like myself.

Pat Barrett



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