LINGUIST List 13.1914

Sat Jul 13 2002

Qs: Lang Identification, Theta > [f] Variation

Editor for this issue: Renee Galvis <reneelinguistlist.org>



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  • Natasha Warner, Language identification
  • Kirk Hazen, Re: Variation of theta to [f] in varieties of English

    Message 1: Language identification

     Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 20:39:29 +0000
    From: Natasha Warner <nwarneru.arizona.edu>
    Subject: Language identification


    I have been given a list of words by someone who is unable to clearly identify what language they are in, and I am curious to find out what language(s) this may be, and what the language family is. There may be borrowing from a variety of related or unrelated languages involved. If anyone recognizes a reasonable number of words from the following list as being (related to) a language they know (that is, enough words to make it unlikely that the resemblance is by chance), I would very much appreciate hearing about it. The words I have for this language are as follows, using for a reduced vowel, and approximate IPA otherwise.

    English the language man awansa woman asktavn child EdZE ancient kara mother/nurturer matj father/provider tatj knife sImsim blanket vas deer oromn bear SaSa racoon tUktUk bobcat anem wolf anansa rabbit atkErE dog oijo anansa (small wolf) larger sa?an red hawk ha?al crow tank raven kUroku bluejay katSkatS quail parakul comb orimn rock maj mountain sa?an maj (big rock) homeland ayoka

    Thank you in advance for any help.

    Natasha Warner University of Arizona



    Message 2: Re: Variation of theta to [f] in varieties of English

     Date: Fri, 12 Jul 2002 10:06:18 -0400
    From: Kirk Hazen <Kirk.Hazenmail.wvu.edu>
    Subject: Re: Variation of theta to [f] in varieties of English


    I am looking for both linguistic and social information concerning theta to [f] variation in varieties of English (e.g. "birthday" to "bir[f]day" ). I know that in Northern varieties of US English, it can be highly stigmatized; however, in the Southern US, it for the most part passes unnoticed. I was wondering what the social constraints or associations might be in other varieties of English. Email me directly, and I will post a summary. Thanks, Kirk [krk]

    Thanks for your help, Kirk

    Kirk Hazen, Ph.D. West Virginia Dialect Project Department of English, Box 6296 West Virginia University Morgantown WV 26506-6296

    (304)293-3107 (p) (304)293-5380 (f) http://www.as.wvu.edu/~khazen