Re: Language Change

> Nik Taylor wrote:
>
> > Ed Heil wrote:
> > > There's a special reason for Australain aboriginal languages to
> > > change so quickly though: taboo.  When someone dies, you must never
> > > say his name again, *or any word that sounds like his name.*
> >
> > Well, the taboo only lasts a certain period, right?  Of course, it's
not
> > uncommon for the taboo word to simply drop out.
>
> Maybe so; my source (Trask's _Historical Linguistics_) only mentioned
> the phenomenon in passing and didn't mention a time limit on the
> taboo.
I don't think the taboo lasts for alot more than one generation...if not
they tell their kids "Never, ever say these words: Eve, Ed, Bill, Eric,
Anne, Alain, Roland, Marcus, ... (and a list of everyone that has died
since they invented the art of writing)"
Though that'd be a rather nice feature too.