Re: Never violate a universal unless it seems like a good idea atthe time

 --- BP Jonsson wrote:
> At 23:15 4.9.2003 -0400, Estel Telcontar wrote:
> >  --- Isidora Zamora wrote:
> > > And I'll have to tell my husband all this about languages
> > > "violating" universals.  He's been laughing lately when I've
talked
> > > about "illegal consonant clusters."  It put the image in his mind
> > > of the language police coming out and arresting you or something
> > > for having illegal consonant clusters :-)
> >
> >Beautiful!!!!!   (I love this kind of buried pun!)
>
> Sorry, this non-native speaker doesn't quite get it.
>
> B.Philip Jonsson
Well, in the intended sense, "illegal consonant clusters" are ones that
aren't allowed by the phonotactics of the language.  But the main use
of "illegal" is things that aren't allowed by some sort of codified,
official law.  If you understand "illegal" in this sense, there are
consonant clusters that are illegal under the laws of your country, or
state, or city, or other unit of government.  Therefore, you could get
arrested for using them.

I called it a buried pun, but that's not really a very good phrase. I
meant something that isn't intended to be a pun, but can be understood
in a sense different than the one intended, and then produces a funny
image or situation.

Estel

______________________________________________________________________
Post your free ad now! http://personals.yahoo.ca

Reply