* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
LINGUIST List logo Eastern Michigan University Wayne State University *
* People & Organizations * Jobs * Calls & Conferences * Publications * Language Resources * Text & Computer Tools * Teaching & Learning * Mailing Lists * Search *
* *
LINGUIST List 20.3425

Sat Oct 10 2009

Qs: For-To in Nonstandard English

Editor for this issue: Elyssa Winzeler <elyssalinguistlist.org>

We'd like to remind readers that the responses to queries are usually best posted to the individual asking the question. That individual is then strongly encouraged to post a summary to the list. This policy was instituted to help control the huge volume of mail on LINGUIST; so we would appreciate your cooperating with it whenever it seems appropriate.

In addition to posting a summary, we'd like to remind people that it is usually a good idea to personally thank those individuals who have taken the trouble to respond to the query.

To post to LINGUIST, use our convenient web form at http://linguistlist.org/LL/posttolinguist.html.
Directory
        1.    Erin Leary, For-To in Nonstandard English
Message 1: For-To in Nonstandard English
Date: 08-Oct-2009
From: Erin Leary <eelearywisc.edu>
Subject: For-To in Nonstandard English
E-mail this message to a friend

I'm conducting research on the 'for-to + infinitive' construction that is
particular to (at least) three English dialects. There are a couple of
articles that offer systematic analyses of the construction based on data
from Ottawa Valley English (Carroll, 1983) and Belfast English (Henry,
1992), but the analyses are dramatically different due qualitatively
different data from each dialect region. A third documented for-to dialect,
Ozark English, has received no systematic treatment whatsoever. I'm
wondering if anyone has any experience with this construction or, perhaps
more generally, has something to say about historical connections among
these dialect regions. From a very preliminary look into settlement
patterns, it seems that both Ottawa Valley region and the Ozark region have
an Ulster-Scots connection, and, indeed, evidence gathered from traditional
folk songs corroborates an Irish influence.

Any information is greatly appreciated.

Linguistic Field(s): Historical Linguistics
                            Sociolinguistics
                            Syntax

Subject Language(s): English (eng)
Read more issues|LINGUIST home page|Top of issue



Please report any bad links or misclassified data

LINGUIST Homepage | Read LINGUIST | Contact us

NSF Logo

While the LINGUIST List makes every effort to ensure the linguistic relevance of sites listed
on its pages, it cannot vouch for their contents.