Evidence of active system in Russian [Re: Roll Your Own IElanguage]

Danny Wier wrote:
> I noticed that [in Russian] masculine singular nouns and all
> plural nouns have animate/inanimate distinction in the accusative
> case: if animate, same form as genitive; if inanimate, the
> nominative.
Ah, I've read about that.  That occurs in quite a few Slavonic langs.
It's a new feature, rather than a survival of PIE, tho.  Originally, it
began in nouns referring to *free adult healthy males*, that is, it was
not used of cripples, children, or slaves!  It was, apparently, a form
of respect.  However, it eventually generalized.  I think I remember
reading that Russian has generalized it furthest.

--
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was hanged." - Irish proverb
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