Re: Hellenic origin of English?

From: ehlsmith
Message: 44277
Date: 2006-04-17

--- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "squilluncus" <grvs@...> wrote:
>
> --- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "Brad Lloyd" <bradleyblanchard@>
> wrote:
> >
> > I am reading a book entitled "The Adventure of English" one of
the
> > sentences states that the English language has its main roots in
the
> > Hellenic language of Greece. I have researched and can't find a
> > connection. Is there a connection and what examples of words of
> today
> > trace to the Hellenic Greek?
> >
> > Brad Lloyd
> >
> http://www.worldwidewords.org/reviews/re-adv1.htm :
>
> "I spotted several etymological howlers in the TV programmes. So I
> came to the book with forebodings, to find my fears confirmed."
>
> "These faults diminish the book. That's a great pity, as Melvyn
Bragg
> has great skill as a populariser and he writes beautifully."
>


Whatever faults Bragg's book may have, denying the Germanic origin of
English is not one of them. He quite clearly identifies it as a
Germanic language and even details its closeness to Frisian. Where
exactly did he claim that English's main roots were in Hellenic
Greek? Or was that from a similarly titled book by someone else?

Ned Smith