Re: Probability of Article Replacement?

On Tuesday 25 February 2003 8:27 pm, John Cowan wrote:
> Joe scripsit:
> > I think one may be discarded by a process of elision.  'the' is doing
> > this in some english dialects, especially after a glottal stop.  It
> > usually still is there, as a very weak [@]. ie. 'at the pool' [&?@ puM/].
>
> I would understand that as "at a pool", so I doubt that version will catch
> on, since it obliterates an essential distinction.
Essential? Articles serve no essential purpose in a language.  They clarify,
but a distinction is not neccesary.

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