🚀 go-pugleaf

In-Reply-To: <9972@fs3.cam.nist.gov> koontz@cam.nist.gov (John E. Koontz X5180)

> 
> In article <1ie5i1INNlgr@bHARs12c.bnr.co.uk>, sizex@bnr.co.uk (Eric Barber) writes:
> |> one of the striking features of English is its lack of conjugations
> |> and declensions. 
> 
> Actually, English still contains conjugations, though the personal inflection
> of most verbs is very simplified....

> My point is, a language doesn't have to have an elaborate system of 
> tense/aspect varying personal inflections to have conjugational and 
> declensional classes.  

I don't think Eric meant absolute lack, but relative lack,
considering its origins in a highly inflected language, and compared
with its nearest cognates. I mean, it's almost as bad as Chinese!

Peter
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Peter Christian                         
  Dept of European Languages              peter@gold.ac.uk
  Goldsmiths' College, London.            petex@cix.compulink.co.uk
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