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Re: NATLANG: Dutch (jara: Has anyone made a real conlang?)

From:John Cowan <cowan@...>
Date:Friday, April 25, 2003, 15:34
Jan van Steenbergen scripsit:

> But as I wrote earlier, I dare to say that a majority of the Dutch are not > aware of the different spelling;
Since we are talking about subtle errors that foreigners make, there is one in the above sentence: "I dare to say" should be "I dare say". This is because "dare" mostly operates as an ordinary verb with an infinitive complement nowadays, but sometimes shows traces of its former status as a modal verb. There are sentences in which either works and means the same thing (with the modal form being more formal): He dared (to) open the door. with derived variants: Dared he open the door? (archaic) Did he dare open the door? (fairly normal) Did he dare to open the door? (normal) He dare not open the door (normal) He dared not open the door (archaic) He doesn't dare (to) open the door (both normal) He didn't dare (to) open the door (both normal) In the Scottish Tragedy (it's thought to be excruciatingly bad luck to name it), Macbeth says, when Lady Macbeth challenges him, I dare do all that may become a man; Who dares do more, is none. This is pure modal use; "become" = "be appropriate to", now lost except in the adjective "becoming" = "fitting, appropriate; attractive, beautiful". I had occasion to quote this yesterday. But in this case, "I dare say" means "I say with confidence" whereas "I dare to say" suggests that someone has threatened you with something bad if you do say it! So hoping that you are not going to receive a nasty visit from the Society Against Slander of Dutch Literacy, -- John Cowan http://www.ccil.org/~cowan jcowan@reutershealth.com Please leave your values Check your assumptions. In fact, at the front desk. check your assumptions at the door. --sign in Paris hotel --Cordelia Vorkosigan

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Elliott Lash <erelion12@...>