From: ABlainey@aol.com
Date: Sun Dec 10 2000 - 15:25:06 MST
I recently pondered on the origins of the English language, I was
thinking about the international space station but somehow went off on a
tangent.
I was wondering why English on first sight, has many differences from
most other languages. Such as the lack of genderised words when descibing an
object or "Black Cat" as opposed to "Cat Black" in most other languages.
Why does English not follow the same rules as the languages that have
influenced its evolution, such as German, French and Italian ?. I would have
thought that as England was conquered by The Saxons, Normans and Romans. That
thier basic rules of language would have been enforced on the Ancient
Britons. Maybe they were too simple to grasp the concepts ?. ;o) (not sure
about German, My Duetch isn't too hot)
I have heard that all languages stem from an ancient very basic language
"Ancient Nostratic" ?? . Could it be that Britain was somehow seperate from
this evolving language and formed its own with a slightly different viewpoint
from the rest ?. The only way I can see an solution to this, is if the
English language was originally concieved by Neaderthals or another group of
ancient homanids living mainly around the British Isles. Possible ?, I
soppose so, but maybe a bit far fetched. It would make more sense if many
northern European languages were the same.
Im sure someone has an explantion or at least some better theories than
my half baked ideas thought up in tens minutes.
Just a quick idea about "black Cat", "Cat Black". If I were an ancient
Human and I wanted to direct attention to an object. Saying "Cat Black" makes
more sense. It imediatly directs you to the object and then enforces
recognition with specifics. Where as "Black Cat" puts emphasis on the Black,
which could be any number of objects in your field of view. Then the
definition of the object I want you to look at.
Would that not mean that the "Inventers" of the language rules placed a
high value on abstacts such as colour ?.
Maybe food for thought, It could explain why the Neaderthals died out.
Bob watch out for that brown, large, fury, warm-blooded, saber-toothed
....oops to late.
Alex.
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