Re: polysynthetic languages

Tommie L Powell wrote:
> I agree with Chris.  I don't see a dime's worth of difference between
> "I am smart er than you" and "I am more smart than you,"
> or between "It explode ed" and It did explode."
But, "smarter" is pronounced as a single word, it has only one stress.
Also, the -er form has a few irregulars (better, not *gooder).  The
"more" construction has two stresses and no irregulars.  Also, "er"
cannot be used by itself, but "more" can.  Same considerations for
did/-ed  Consider the following exchanges:

(Acceptable)
A: Is he as smart as you?
B: At least, if not more so

(Unacceptable)
A: Is he as smart as you?
B: At least, if not er

(Acceptable)
A: Will it explode?
B: It already did

(Unacceptable)
A: Will it explode?
B: It already ed.

--
"There's no such thing as 'cool'.  Everyone's just a big dork or nerd,
you just have to find people who are dorky the same way you are." -
overheard
ICQ: 18656696
AIM Screen-Name: NikTaylor42