I know it's been mentioned, but you people spell pajamas with a Y?
A fallen tongue.
A fallen tongue.
Yes, they're still around to this day (one of the Greek-speaking towns is named Calimera of all things). However, I'm led to believe that the extent to which they speak Greek today is highly overrated - yet another language on its way out.I think we need Leo in to answer this. I do recall that in cut off bits of Magna Graeca in the Italian hinterland, they were supposed to be speaking Greek after the (Byzantine, IIRC!) Empire fell.
Yes because a debased form from a country that was never anywhere near India is obviously more accurate than one that was taken directly by EIC man in the damn country itself.I know it's been mentioned, but you people spell pajamas with a Y?
A fallen tongue.
Yes, they're still around to this day (one of the Greek-speaking towns is named Calimera of all things). However, I'm led to believe that the extent to which they speak Greek today is highly overrated - yet another language on its way out.
Sardinian is very conservative, even in comparison to other Italian dialects (which are more conservative, broadly speaking, than other Romance languages). Dante himself criticized the Sardinians on the grounds that they didn't have a proper vulgar tongue but merely "aped" Latin.
There are some Punic words in Sardinian and Sicilian, but it's hard to disentangle them from other Semitic influences (particularly Arabic). I've only seen a few lexical items of indubitably Punic origin.
It's originally a Persian word, anyway, the form of which has both a y and an ā (pāyjāmeh), so we can both get along.Yes because a debased form from a country that was never anywhere near India is obviously more accurate than one that was taken directly by EIC man in the damn country itself.![]()
It depends on what you're looking for. In terms of vocabulary I'd suspect that the standard dialect contains the most Latinate vocabulary especially given linguistic purist efforts over the years (in fact, Italian is said to preserve more Latin vocabulary than any other language, although it's clear that there are still lots of loan words; there's a perennial debate as to whether a murderer is to be properly called a killer (from the English) or a sicario (from Latin sicarius). In terms of phonology, though, Sardinian is clearly the most conservative.Thanks for that, Leo, interesting as always. In your opinion, what dialect (I assume of Italian) nowadays would be closest to Vulgar Latin? I realise that that may be a meaningless question without specifying an era for the Vulgar Latin in question...
Ah, compromise! Let's all sing the song from Sesame StreetIt's originally a Persian word, anyway, the form of which has both a y and an ā (pāyjāmeh), so we can both get along.
Fair enough then.Leo Caesius said:It depends on what you're looking for. In terms of vocabulary I'd suspect that the standard dialect contains the most Latinate vocabulary especially given linguistic purist efforts over the years (in fact, Italian is said to preserve more Latin vocabulary than any other language, although it's clear that there are still lots of loan words; there's a perennial debate as to whether a murderer is to be properly called a killer (from the English) or a sicario (from Latin sicarius). In terms of phonology, though, Sardinian is clearly the most conservative.
I'd like that a lot.Leo said:Actually, if you're interested, I could probably post a list of Italian words of Indian origin here. It wouldn't be comprehensive, but if you're looking for Italian colonies there it might do the trick.
I'll give it my best shot. As I may have mentioned, my mother's family comes from Naples, so growing up I was actually more familiar with that dialect than the standard one, although I can't claim any proficiency.I'd like that a lot.
If possible, can you perhaps indicate what Neapolitan equivalents might be in the cases where it would differ from the Tuscan-derived modern standard Italian?
Yes because a debased form from a country that was never anywhere near India is obviously more accurate than one that was taken directly by EIC man in the damn country itself.![]()
Don't you know never to argue geography with an American?
I suppose I should bump this so that Thande sees it when he gets back. When is he getting back, anyway?
Ooh, groovy list, old man!
I think he said he was off home for a week, so it'll be mid-next week before he gets back.
Excellent. Well, I'm off to Collyphonia, so I am bumping this for his benefit. I probably won't be online much over the next week or so myself.Tuesday, IIRC. He'll probably need a few days to adjust, what with the jet-lag and all.
Excellent. Well, I'm off to Collyphonia, so I am bumping this for his benefit. I probably won't be online much over the next week or so myself.