(L&N) Q&A Thread - Quick questions go here [2010-2019]

[Solarius]

Yep.

EDIT:: Also, does anyone know how many languages have a limitation of what cases can be applied to a noun based on its class? If it is something several natlangs do, then I'm gonna steal it.

I think that some Algonquian languages prohibit inanimates from being subjects.

[thaen]

Imma do it!

[Xing]

Yep.

EDIT:: Also, does anyone know how many languages have a limitation of what cases can be applied to a noun based on its class? If it is something several natlangs do, then I'm gonna steal it.

By "case", one can mean either (1) overt case-marking, or (2) the thematic roles or relations that those case-markers expresses.

Assuming we are talking about case in the sense of (2), there are some restrictions that I find plausible.

As already noted, in some languages only animate beings can be agents. Other roles that may be plausibly reserved for animates include recipients and company (typically expressed by the dative and comitative cases).

On the other hand, instrument is a role that may be reserved for inanimates.

You may also consider having a distinction when it comes to direct objects - that only inanimates can be "true" patients, and animates must be treated as some kind if indirect object (for example, they must take some preposition, or a dative or some case other than the accusative/absolutive). The underlying thought is that you cannot directly control the behaviour of a being with a mind and a will of its own; you can only indirectly influence them.

[Xing]

Are there any natural languages with central semi-vowels - /ɨ̯/ or /ʉ̯/? (Those would be somewhere in between the front /j ɥ/ and the back /ɰ w/.)

[Thakowsaizmu]

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/W#Somali

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Wiktionar ... n_template

[Avo]

Old Tupi, and maybe other Tupi-Guarani languages, have /ɨ̯/

[Xing]

Nice I also recalled English may have ʉ̯ as part of a diphthong.

I was thinking that some dialects of Wateu should have a central approximant as a non-syllabic segment in onset position.

(Btw concerning Marshallese, it doesn't seem like /ɨ̯/ ever surfaces as [ɨ̯])

[arilando]

Are there any of the really old proto languages that had articles?

[taylorS]

Are there any of the really old proto languages that had articles?

Proto-Semitic.

[arilando]

Are a pharyngeal stop possible?

[Solarius]

Are a pharyngeal stop possible?

Possible? Yes. Exists in natlangs? No. (Although epiglottal stops do exist.)

[Xing]

Are a pharyngeal stop possible?

Check out this.

[thaen]

In languages with past/non-past distinction, which is marked?

[Maximillian]

In languages with past/non-past distinction, which is marked?

The "past" is usually marked, AFAIK; or both.
Look at Germanic and Uralic languages for examples.

[Raydred]

Hey. I've been dead again for some time now. I've ressed to ask if anyone around knew or was interesting in getting some site with passages from various languages with IPA transcriptions including lyrics of songs or something similar? I didn't want to post a thread so I came to spam the spam thread. So does anyone know some place to get IPA transcriptions? I guess I can make a thread for some specific phrases too but oh well.
(I think I'm forgetting something)

Modicone: Moved this to the Quick Questions thread. You're more likely to get a response here.

[Micamo]

Many language grammars include example texts with IPA transcriptions. That's really the best I can offer though, if you're looking for something specific you're most likely out of luck.

[Ossicone]

Maybe something like this?

[Raydred]

Maybe something like this?

That looks like a fun site, thanks! But too bad it lacks IPA.
I wonder how popular such a website site would be. It would be really helpful for me if it existed, but pronunciation is very far from the most important thing in language learning and most don't know even know IPA to start with.

If someone knows one with IPA let me know please.

[Maximillian]

Not sure if this belongs here, but...
Can anyone point me to some books about the history of writing? Preferably not something heavily academic, more in a spirit of popular science.

[Maximillian]

So... noone?