Re: "Hij" with graves: why?

--- Rob Nierse skrzypszy:

> Jean-François wrote:
>
> <<What surprises me is the use of the grave to emphasize the "hij".
> Isn't it the acute which is usually used to this end?
> If both the acute and the grave are used, which one is used when and
> why?>>
>
> Normally, only the aigu is used, as far as I know. So I share your
> question.
Not quite. Actually, it's quite a mess with those accentuation marks. Some
people use acutes only (I belong to that category), others use graves only,
and again others use both. In the case of the last group, elements like the
open/closed distinction and vowel length seem to play a role.
I don't think there are real rules - although I might be wrong about that -
because they are supposed not to be used at all in correct written language.

> It is even written with a double grave, normally 'híj'suffices.
Here I disagree with you, Rob. It is probably the computer age that people
put an accent on the "i" and not on the "j", but AFAIK in hand-written
language or on a typewriter both letters receive one. At least, that's how
í do it.

Jan

Reply