Re: Words for family groups

> Date:         Sat, 22 May 1999 12:11:18 -0300
> From: FFlores <fflores@...>
> I think it's just about what I meant, except maybe for
> the number: is 'fe=F0gar' a collective (singular) or a
> plural form?
It's a singular noun, and not recognizably a collective derivation of
anything, IIRC. Originally a compound of 'fa=F0ir' and something else,
but probably opaque by literate times, having developed separately
from the constituent words for some centuries.

It may have started out just as transparent as current Danish
'for=E6ldrepar' (pair of parents) or 's=F8skendeflok' (full set of
siblings). But note that these are for relations that are symmetrical
--- unlike the parent/child one.

Slight jump: Danish happens to have a simple gender neutral word for
'husband or wife:' '=E6gtef=E6lle.' (Literally, 'fellow by marriage').

Lars Mathiesen (U of Copenhagen CS Dep) <thorinn@...> (Humour NOT marke=
d)