LINGUIST List 18.2287
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Tue Jul 31 2007
Qs: Me and John Can Do It
Editor for this issue: Dan Parker
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Directory
1. Lee
Hartman,
Me and John Can Do It
Message 1: Me and John Can Do It
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Date: 31-Jul-2007
From: Lee Hartman <lhartmansiu.edu>
Subject: Me and John Can Do It
 E-mail this message to a friend
In some ''nonstandard'' varieties of spoken English -- in both the U.S. and
the U.K. -- sentences like (1) are normal, while (2) is not used.
(1) Me and John can do it.
(2) *John and I can do it.
Meanwhile, for a singular subject, the same speakers of (1) would never say
(3), but rather, like ''standard'' speakers, would say (4).
(3) *Me can do it.
(4) I can do it.
I saw a journal article on this phenomenon, probably in the 1970s or early
'80s. I wonder if anyone on the List can help me find the article.
Linguistic Field(s):
Syntax
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