--- In conlang@yahoogroups.com, Chris Bates
<chris.maths_student@N...> wrote:
>This was the original form. English got the progressive am ...ing
>tense by saying "I am at ----ing", later shortened to "I am a-
>...ing" then the a was dropped completely in standard English. In
>some dialects I know it's used more often with the most common verbs
>like go than with uncommon verbs I think, and some seem to retain it
>for all verbs.
>>I delight in American regionalisms. I was in Wal-mart the other day
>>and I overheard one woman say to another, "Are you goin' to the
>>pharmacy? That's where I'm a-goin'." I wonder if there's any rule
>>for when this "a-" can be used.
>>
>>Charlie
>>
http://wiki.frath,net/user:caeruleancentaur
>