Re: USAGE: indefinite "a" before vowel-initial words

From:    Mike Ellis <nihilsum@...>
> Thomas R. Wier wrote:
> >"A alternative definition promoted by astronomers is that..."
> >So, it seems to be something more than my crazy "language
> >module" acting up again.  Maybe a sound change in progress?
>
> "an" appears nine times in that article. Not every typo is a "sound change".
I am well aware of this; you were missing my point.  The point is
that (a) the phenomenon exists, and (b) it can probably be reduced
to some actual mechanism of language.  I also have noted with many
people who do this that they seem to have little actual dental
closure in their oral tract for coda nasals, and thus the behavion
might be somehow related to the loss of coda nasals with compensatory
nasalization of the preceding vowel.  I only brought up the example
online because it reminded me of the phenomenon.

 =========================================================================
Thomas Wier	       "I find it useful to meet my subjects personally,
Dept. of Linguistics    because our secret police don't get it right
University of Chicago   half the time." -- octogenarian Sheikh Zayed of
1010 E. 59th Street     Abu Dhabi, to a French reporter.
Chicago, IL 60637

Reply