Stories with Tag english

• The US island that speaks Elizabethan English

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  Posted: 2025-03-11 14:24:48

  Verbose tl;dr

  Tangier Island, a small, eroding island in Virginia's Chesapeake Bay, is home to a unique dialect preserved from the 17th century, when settlers from southwest England arrived. This dialect, with its distinctive pronunciation and vocabulary, retains echoes of Elizabethan English, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past. Islanders, largely isolated due to their geographical location and traditional fishing-based economy, have inadvertently maintained this linguistic time capsule, though the island's very existence is threatened by rising sea levels.

  Nestled within the cerulean embrace of the Atlantic Ocean, a mere stone's throw from the bustling metropolises of the eastern United States seaboard, lies a diminutive landmass harboring a linguistic anachronism of the most peculiar and captivating nature: Tangier Island, Virginia. This isolated isle, a veritable time capsule of linguistic preservation, boasts a dialect so antiquated, so reminiscent of the golden age of English literature, that it transports the contemporary listener back to the era of Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth I.

  The article from the venerable British Broadcasting Corporation delves into the fascinating etymology of this unique vernacular, postulating that the islanders' speech, a melodious blend of archaic pronunciations and grammatical structures, has remained remarkably unchanged for centuries due to their geographical isolation. The inhabitants of Tangier, predominantly engaged in the toils of crabbing and fishing, have maintained a degree of linguistic insularity, their speech patterns largely unaffected by the relentless march of linguistic evolution on the mainland. This isolation, coupled with a strong sense of communal identity and pride in their heritage, has allowed the distinctive cadence and vocabulary of Elizabethan English to flourish, resisting the homogenizing influence of modern American English.

  The article meticulously elucidates the various linguistic peculiarities that distinguish the Tangier dialect, showcasing its distinctive pronunciation of vowels and consonants, its retention of archaic verb conjugations, and its employment of vocabulary long since abandoned by mainstream English speakers. It paints a vivid portrait of a community clinging steadfastly to its linguistic heritage, a heritage that serves as a testament to the enduring power of tradition and the remarkable resilience of language in the face of societal and technological advancements. Furthermore, the article underscores the importance of preserving such linguistic anomalies, not merely as curiosities but as valuable windows into the evolution of language and the rich tapestry of human cultural expression. It highlights the urgency of documenting and studying these linguistic relics before they are inevitably lost to the tides of time and the pressures of globalization, thereby depriving future generations of a unique and invaluable insight into the linguistic past.

  • US
  • USA
  • America
  • United States
  • Island
  • english
  • language
  • dialect
  • Elizabethan English
  • Early Modern English
  • History
  • culture
  • travel
  • North Carolina
  • Outer Banks
  • Ocracoke Island
  • Ocracoke
  • Atlantic Ocean

  Summary of Comments ( 96 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43332752

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News commenters discuss the BBC article about Tangier Island's unique dialect. Several point out that the dialect isn't truly Elizabethan English, but rather a mix of influences including early colonial English and Cornish, shaped by the island's isolation. Some debate the level of Cornish influence and the accuracy of the "Elizabethan" label. Others discuss the impact of rising sea levels and the islanders' resistance to climate change science, attributing it to religious beliefs and economic dependence on crabbing. A few commenters share personal anecdotes or express interest in visiting. The thread also touches on linguistic preservation, the challenges faced by small island communities, and the role of dialect in shaping identity. One compelling exchange revolves around the island's uncertain future and the potential loss of this unique dialect as residents are forced to relocate.

  The Hacker News post titled "The US island that speaks Elizabethan English" (linking to a BBC article about Tangier Island) has a moderate number of comments, sparking a discussion about language change, isolation, and the romanticized notion of "Elizabethan English."

  Several commenters challenge the premise of the article, pointing out that the islanders' dialect isn't truly Elizabethan English frozen in time. They argue that language is constantly evolving, and even in isolated communities, change is inevitable. One commenter suggests that the dialect likely retains some older features that have been lost in mainland American English, but it's also developed its own unique characteristics over time. This leads to a discussion about the nature of dialects and how they diverge and converge. The idea of a perfectly preserved historical language is seen as unrealistic.

  Another commenter notes the influence of nautical terminology on the island's dialect, given its history and reliance on fishing and crabbing. This reinforces the point that the language has been shaped by the community's specific circumstances, rather than simply being a relic of the past.

  Some commenters express skepticism about the BBC article's claim, suggesting that it's exaggerating the distinctiveness of the dialect for sensationalist purposes. They mention encountering similar claims about other isolated communities, which often turn out to be overblown upon closer examination.

  Several commenters express interest in the sociolinguistic aspects of the situation, wondering about the islanders' interactions with outsiders and how they navigate the differences in language. One commenter raises the question of language attrition and whether younger generations on the island are maintaining the dialect or shifting towards more mainstream American English. This ties into a broader discussion about the forces that drive language change and the challenges faced by smaller language communities.

  Finally, a few commenters share anecdotes about encountering unique dialects in other parts of the world, further illustrating the diversity of language and the ways in which it reflects local history and culture. One commenter mentions the Outer Banks of North Carolina, suggesting a parallel with Tangier Island in terms of relative isolation and distinct dialectal features.

• Why is zero plural? (2024)

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  Posted: 2025-01-22 01:33:17

  Verbose tl;dr

  The Stack Exchange post explores why "zero" takes the plural form of a noun. It concludes that "zero" functions similarly to other quantifiers like "two," "few," and "many," which inherently refer to pluralities. While "one" signifies a single item, "zero" indicates the absence of any items, conceptually similar to having multiple absences or a group of nothing. This aligns with how other languages treat zero, and using the singular with zero can create ambiguity, especially in contexts discussing countable nouns where "one" is a possibility. Essentially, "zero" grammatically behaves like a plural quantifier because it describes the absence of a quantity greater than one.

  The Stack Exchange post entitled "Why is zero plural? (2024)" delves into the grammatical quandary of why the numeral zero, representing the absence of a quantity, typically takes a plural verb form in English. The author initiates the inquiry by observing the common usage of plural verb agreement with zero, as exemplified in phrases like "zero degrees" or "zero cookies." This practice seems counterintuitive, given that zero signifies nothingness, and singular nouns typically align with singular verbs.

  The post then explores several potential explanations for this linguistic convention. One hypothesis posits that zero functions grammatically similarly to other numbers greater than one, all of which necessitate plural verb agreement. This argument suggests that the plural form is used for consistency across numerical quantifiers, irrespective of the actual quantity represented.

  Another proposed rationale centers on the concept of implied plurality. The argument here is that even when zero explicitly denotes an absence, it implicitly refers to a potential plurality of items that could exist but currently do not. For instance, "zero apples" might be interpreted as implying a set of apples, albeit a set with zero members. Thus, the plural verb agreement acknowledges the potential for a plural entity.

  Furthermore, the post touches upon the distinction between grammatical number and the actual quantity being discussed. It emphasizes that grammatical number is a linguistic construct that doesn't always perfectly map onto mathematical concepts. Consequently, while zero mathematically represents nothingness, its grammatical function may align with plural constructions due to the conventions of the English language.

  In essence, the post seeks to illuminate the reasons behind the seemingly paradoxical use of plural verb agreement with the numeral zero, considering various linguistic and conceptual factors that contribute to this grammatical peculiarity. It leaves the reader to ponder the nuances of language and the sometimes arbitrary nature of grammatical rules.

  • english
  • grammar
  • pluralization
  • number
  • zero
  • linguistics

  Summary of Comments ( 155 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42787651

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users discuss the seemingly illogical pluralization of "zero." Some argue that "zero" functions as a placeholder for a plural noun, similar to other quantifiers like "many" or "few." Others suggest that its plural form stems from its representation of a set containing no elements, which conceptually could contain multiple (zero) elements. The notion that zero apples is one set of apples, while grammatically plural, was also raised. The prevalent feeling is that the pluralization is more a quirk of language evolution than strict logical adherence, echoing the original Stack Exchange post's accepted answer. Some users pointed to different conventions in other languages, highlighting the English language's idiosyncrasies. A few comments humorously question the entire premise, wondering why such a seemingly trivial matter warrants discussion.

  The Hacker News post titled "Why is zero plural? (2024)" linking to an English Language Learners Stack Exchange discussion has several comments discussing the plurality of zero.

  One of the most compelling lines of discussion revolves around the idea that zero isn't inherently plural or singular, but rather takes on the plurality of the noun it modifies. Commenters point out that zero functions as a quantifier, similar to other numbers. They argue that saying "zero apple" sounds unnatural not because zero is plural, but because the conventional quantifier for a single, absent item is "no" or "one." Therefore, we say "no apples" or "one apple," not "zero apples." However, in cases where plurality is already implied or established, zero smoothly fits into the plural context. Examples like "zero degrees Celsius" and mathematical operations like "one minus one equals zero" are cited as instances where zero naturally adopts the plural form.

  Another commenter adds to this by suggesting zero represents an empty set, and sets are inherently treated as plural. This aligns with the idea of zero inheriting plurality from the noun it quantifies, as an empty set of something takes the plural form of that something.

  Further discussion touches on the historical and linguistic evolution of zero. One comment mentions that while zero's usage as a plural quantifier is common in modern English, historical texts sometimes used "none" in situations where we would now use "zero." This points to a possible shift in language usage over time.

  The pragmatic aspect of communication also enters the conversation. A commenter explains that choosing between singular or plural forms often depends on the context and the intended meaning. While "zero error" might be grammatically correct, "zero errors" is more commonly used, likely because it implies a desired state of no errors, thus conceptually aligning with a plural form.

  Finally, a few comments inject some humor and less serious observations, with one noting the occasional awkwardness of sentences like "zero times" appearing in user interfaces and another playfully suggesting "zeroes" as a possible plural form, though acknowledging its uncommon usage.