Re: THEORY: Sound changes in literate societies

Thomas R. Wier scripsit:

> In the case of
> English, it is also well to note that it has the longest written
> history of any vernacular language in Europe since the fall of
> Rome.
Surely Irish, particularly in the Ogham script, beats English or at
least gives it a run for the money?  Irish clearly has the longest *unbroken*
tradition of vernacular writing right up to the present day, whereas
Middle English writing is by no means a direct continuation of the
Old English writing tradition.

--
John Cowan <jcowan@...>     http://www.reutershealth.com
I amar prestar aen, han mathon ne nen,    http://www.ccil.org/~cowan
han mathon ne chae, a han noston ne 'wilith.  --Galadriel, _LOTR:FOTR_

Reply