From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!npoiv!npois!bsg
Newsgroups: net.nlang
Title: regularity of languages
Article-I.D.: npois.1554
Posted: Fri Jul 16 11:44:38 1982
Received: Sat Jul 17 01:51:21 1982

I've read somewhere that the OLDER a language is, the more
regular it tends to be.  This seems to support the notion
that as civilization (or at least time) advanced, humans 
developed the ability to do more complex language processing.  
I think--although I'm not sure--that I read this in an interview 
with Anthony Burgess in which he was discussing the language which 
he developed for the film "Quest For Fire."  What little I know supports 
this, in that the only foreign language that I speak is Hebrew;
that is both a great deal older and a lot more regular than English.
(Although it has been modernized somewhat, the modern version is firmly 
rooted in the biblical language.)

I'm not sure quite what this proves, except maybe that attempts to
regularize language are probably doomed.  I don't know if this applies
to spelling reform as well.

Two other comments--
I say Mary, merry, and marry three different ways BUT I can't distinguish
(in speaking or hearing) ferry from furry--tho I've been laughed at
for saying them the same, I honestly don't know the difference.
(P.S. I'm originally from Philadelphia, if that has any bearing.)

If the Irish did such a magnificent job of spelling reform, why is 
it that the name (of a town) "Dun Laoghaire" (I may have a few letters
off, but it's something like that) is pronounced as "Done Leery?"
And for that matter, why is it that driving thru Ireland, when you
see signs that say "X 10 miles" then "X 5 miles" then "X 2 miles"
etc., X of course a variable, X is spelled differently on each of
those signs?  This occurs repeatedly--or did when I was last there, in
1974.

					Billie Goldstein
					Bell Labs Neptune NJ
					...!npois!bsg