Historical Linguistics: how is it that a language develops more than one regular verb conjugation?
Q. It seems intuitive to me that a language would have both regular and irregular verbs. But I have always wondered why it is that Spanish, for example, developed 3 regular conjugations ( -ar, -er, -ir). The quick answer is that these were inherited from Latin, but how did Latin come to have four conjugations?For that matter, why did Latin have 5 different regular noun declensions? It's hard for me to imagine this being a natural course of evolution for a language. Multiple forms of irregularity strike me as something to be expected. But it seems almost an oxymoron to say we have multiple ways to do things "regularly" :) Does this reflect a merging of different ancient indoeuropean languages? Or is there an explanation which parallels… [cont.]
Asked by Michael M - Tue Dec 4 10:55:35 2007 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. I think it's a phonological thing. Though maybe I just want it to be easy; I cannot deal with unexplained things too well :) I would guess that there was once a single inflection system that worked the same with all verbs. But then, because verbs have different vowels or consonants in the stem, the sounds influenced each other and they were pronounced differently (same as inexpensive - imperfect - irregular). At some point, the old system would have been lost and the new, different inflections would have become the standard (although different for different groups of verbs). Anyway, I'm only a noob linguist student and I really don't know. If you ever do find out, please let me know!
Answered by king kami - Sun Dec 9 16:18:55 2007

Linguistics or Anthropology at UC Davis?
Q. OK. I did check out the catalog and course descriptions but I'm still a bit confused as to my options in Anthropology. I'm looking to transfer and my goal is to study linguistic anthropology or linguistics within the context of anthropology, and also historical and comparative linguistics. I'm not sure however, if I should start my foundation by getting my BA in Davis' anthropology program (with a track in sociocultural Anthropology) or if I should get it through their linguistics program (despite the lack of emphasis on anthropology). One thing I haven't been able to find out from reading their catalog is if I can specialize in linguistic anthropology under the anthropology major or chose it as a "specialty emphasis".They've alluded to… [cont.]
Asked by Dogon D - Wed Aug 5 19:41:13 2009 - - 1 Answers - 1 Comments

A. You will be better able to discern the right path after you've taken courses in both anthropology and linguistics. You have the option of a double major or selecting a minor. Go ahead and select anthropology as a major - its common to change majors, add minors, etc. after your first year or two of college.
Answered by pj - Wed Aug 5 19:59:00 2009

Authors Attitude ?
Q. I need to know the Authors Attitude? And How does it shift, if it does? you dont even need to read the whole thing just skim through it. dialects what They Are Different language communities have certain ways of talking that set them apart from others. Those differences may be thought of as dialects not just accents (the way words are pronounced) but also grammar, vocabulary, syntax and common expressions. Often a group that is somewhat isolated regionally or socially from other groups will develop a characteristic dialect. Many people wonder, "What s the difference between a language and a dialect?" There are no universally accepted criteria for distinguishing them, and the difference is often a matter of degree rather than of… [cont.]
Asked by Hey!(: - Sun Dec 13 22:18:29 2009 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. I think it's what you think about herr . and Gross phedo ! ^^^ D:
Answered by Nicolee. - Tue Dec 15 19:13:05 2009