"They would sit there and talk for hours--or ... say nothing, in all the languages of the world."

[larryhammer]

From a commentary on a poem by 18th century American versifier Philip Freneau: "Compared to their British cousins, American poets were somewhat at a disadvantage with respect to romantic ruins." Er, yes.

Maps of North American native nations showing the original names and locations as of European contact. Prints are available. (via)

On the evidence against Chomsky's language instinct and, with it, his supposed Universal Grammar. (via)

---L.

Subject quote from The Blue Castle, L.M. Montgomery.

Comments

[snakypoet]

Fascinating, the debunking Chomsky article!

[larryhammer]

I've long heard dubious noises from linguists, but it's good to have the arguments laid out like that.

---L.

[galeni.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the map link, although he missed a few in my area. But it's the overview I needed.

[larryhammer]

There's finer detail in some places than others, for reasons that are obscure to me.

---L.

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the map link!

[larryhammer]

De nada!