Natlang plural forms of foreign loans (Was: Plural vowel change)
From: | vardi <vardi@...> |
Date: | Thursday, January 28, 1999, 7:45 |
Raymond A. Brown wrote:
>
> Hi Daniel,
>
[snip fascinating explanation of vowel change - thanks!)
> In Welsh you'll find:
> car - ceir = car(s)
I love it when languages apply their plural-making rules to foreign
loanwords. Arabic often does this, and since Arabic has the broken
plural form it makes for some great-sounding words. My favorite must
be:
behind the scenes
wara ' l kawalees
In which "kawalees" (scenes, at the theater) is an Arabic broken plural
for the French noun couliesse (wings or scenes).