Re: [tied] Re: Satem shift

They call it "street credibility". As the Cambridge linguist Francis Nolan writes:

"Do the changes in RP mean that the British prestige variety is deteriorating?

"Yes, of course. Ever since Chaucer, and earlier. The situation is only mitigated by the merciful habit of Nature to replace an older generation with a young generation who don't realise how bad things have become."

Piotr

----- Original Message -----
From: petegray

To: cybalist@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, July 21, 2001 9:17 PM

Subject: Re: [tied] Re: Satem shift

> ... sound change often develops a social significance ... a change in full swing creates forms that may be utilised as a means of social bonding and regarded as prestigious or deprecated This is precisely what is happening to intervocalic "t" in British English at the moment. It is being replaced by "?" amongst the younger speakers. I am tempted to suggest the psychological need that drives them to this, but that would only show my own prejudices.