One might also phrase it, "A language is an orphaned dialect," since the definition of a language versus a dialect is loss of mutual intelligibility between speakers of members of the same language family. (Granted, there are other definitions of "language," versus, say "pidgin" or "creole," but those aren't usually used contrastively against "dialect.")
Ahem. What does it say about me that I was able to read both of those in the (quasi-)originals with no problems? :) The first person to say "LANGUAGE GEEK!" will be hunted down, drug out in the street, and shot... ;)
the definition of a language versus a dialect is loss of mutual intelligibility between speakers of members of the same language family.
Ah, but where do you draw the line for a linguistic family that exhibits a geographical gradation, where everyone can understand their neighbors, but across the entire span there are two or more mutually unintelligible sets?
Having the power to draw those lines is power indeed...
What does it say about me that I was able to read both of those in the (quasi-)originals with no problems? :)
In Europe that would have gone pretty much without comment. It's only stereotypical Americans, for the most part, that take a perverse pride in being unilingual.
(no subject)
Ahem. What does it say about me that I was able to read both of those in the (quasi-)originals with no problems? :) The first person to say "LANGUAGE GEEK!" will be hunted down, drug out in the street, and shot... ;)
(no subject)
(no subject)
Ah, but where do you draw the line for a linguistic family that exhibits a geographical gradation, where everyone can understand their neighbors, but across the entire span there are two or more mutually unintelligible sets?
Having the power to draw those lines is power indeed...
(no subject)
In Europe that would have gone pretty much without comment. It's only stereotypical Americans, for the most part, that take a perverse pride in being unilingual.