Re: Language Change

Patrick Dunn wrote:

> I was unaware that languages could gain cases; I was always under the
> impression that languages tended to simplify, but now I see that "simple"
> is subjective, isn't it?  Hmm.
Sure.  The Finno-Ugric langs, with their 12-20 cases, descend from languages
with postpositions and far fewer cases.  Sometimes the line between a
case marker and a pre/postposition is hard to draw.

> This is, as I said, from memory and probably entirely wrong, but it
> illustrates the idea.  Take a look at Caedmon's hymn for another excessive
> example, in which names for God are heaped one on the other until you
> begin to dispair of ever seeing a verb again.  :)
"A verb, Senator, we need a verb!"
        -- A reporter in _Doonesbury_

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