Discussion Details
| Title: | Re: 16.790, Disc: Re: Media: BBC: Welsh-Hindi Link |
| Submitter: | C. Rajendran |
| Description: | Yes,in all probability, the alleged similarity between the Welsh accent and Hindi [Urdu?Pakistani?] accents may be a matter of pure coincidence. But before closing the chapter altogether, shouldn't one consider the following issues?
1.Are there any language systems in the world, which, though thoroughly unrelated at any point in history, yet remarkably bear similarity in matters related to accent to such an extent that both could be mistakenly identified? 2.Shouldn't one consider the hypothetical possibility of two languages having something solidly common when they produce an accent appearing similar even to the untrained ear? 3.Linguistic history is replete with examples where we come across deep relationships when it comes to the question of the antecedents of languages.Consider the Gypsy language,which is identified as belonging to the eastern bramnch of IE. I shouldn't be the least surprised when one comes with a convincing theory that Finnish is very close to Dravidian languages one of these days! Jokes apart,the fact remains that, our planet earth is too small a place! However, I have no thesis to offer in this particular case apart from pleading for caution. C.Rajendran Dr. C. Rajendran Professor of Sanskrit University of Calicut Calicut University P.O Kerala 673 635 For previous messages in this discussion, see: http://linguistlist.org/issues/16/16-790.html http://linguistlist.org/issues/16/16-802.html Original article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4328733.stm |
| Date Posted: | 17-Mar-2005 |
| Linguistic Field(s): |
Historical Linguistics
Phonology Genetic Classification |
| Language Specialty: |
English
Hindi Welsh |
| LL Issue: | 16.820 |
| Posted: | 17-Mar-2005 |
