LINGUIST List 3.161

Wed 19 Feb 1992

Qs: German, cowabunga, media

Editor for this issue: <>

Directory

1. , frequency analysis of German
2. Larry Davidson, cowabunga
3. Dr M Sebba, Re: 3.143 Linguistics And The MEdia

Query:

We have been unable to locate a frequency analysis of German similar
to Francis & Kucera's frequency analysis of English. The analysis
would have to include separate frequencies for the different
possible forms of entries, hence separate listings for, e.g., GEHEN,
GEHST, GEHT, and so forth, and, like Francis & Kucera, it would
have to be based on a large and varied corpus of data. If anyone
knows of such an analysis, we would appreciate hearing from
you. Any replies may be send to the following address:

 EUBANKVAXB.ACS.UNT.EDU

Thanks in advance for any help ...
Lynn Eubank
Maria Beck

Does anyone know the etymology of "cowabunga"? All I know about it is
that it was once used in Peanuts and now appears in Teenage Mutant
Ninja Turtles.

Message 3: Re: 3.143 Linguistics And The MEdia

It is not only the media which ignore or caricature linguistics.
Reference books such as atlases and almanacs which provide country
information, and school texts on geography are persistent offenders
and are undoubtedly part of the cycle which includes public
ignorance and media indifference.
I am making a collection of misrepresentations, omissions and outright
wrong information contained in published reference works which are
not primarily about language. All contributions welcome!

Mark Sebba
Dept. of Linguistics
University of Lancaster, Lancaster LA1 4YT, England
Telephone (0524) 65201 ext. 2241 (W) (0524) 69223 (H)
Fax: (0524) 843085
e-mail: eia023uk.ac.lancaster.central1