Re: Language Changes

In a message dated 10/15/01 7:36:46 PM, AL260@AOL.COM writes:

<< Somehow, I would like to derive a system in which in a later stage of the
language, there is an opposition between singular NOM and GEN and plural
COMM. That is, somehow I want to get rid of much of the case system. What I
thought to do was take forms from either the Genitive or the Nominative
plural for the new plural form based on whether or not that form is most
different from the singular Nominative. >>

    The change you're proposing isn't unheard of, but isn't common on such a
large scale; it isn't that regular.  However, it seems like you're suggesting
something different with your last example:

<<q'dol, q'doll  >  qell'

dhjed', dhidax > dhjen'q

d'rma, d'rmax > draq

rrach, rr'chax > rrech'

mje, mjex > man'q

ngor, ngorsh > nigr'>>

    I this (if I'm reading it right) you just lose the genitive plural, no?
Or is it that those two merge into the latter...?  Bah!  It's too late for
me...

-David