Proper methodology (was: RE: [tied] Re: Mother of all IE languages)

--- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, Miguel Carrasquer <mcv@...> wrote:

> On Wed, 10 Dec 2003 12:08:02 +0000, tgpedersen <tgpedersen@...>
> wrote:
>
> >--- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, Miguel Carrasquer <mcv@...>

wrote:

> >> On Tue, 09 Dec 2003 16:06:47 +0000, tgpedersen <tgpedersen@...>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >> >> NSL *has* personal pronouns.
> >> >
> >> >Your reference doesn't mention it.
> >>
> >> Others do.
> >
> >Other references do mention that NSL has pronouns? I'd be obliged

if

> >you had a link to one?
>
> There's not that much detailed discussion of NSL on the web:
>
> http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~nrwan/201hws.html
>
> The first generation of students at the school did not have a full
> language, but rather a pidgin consisting of home signs. The second
> generation of students, however, turned the pidgin into a creole.

The

> original home signs and gestures used by the first generation had

contained

> a great deal of pointing, actions, and repetition. NSL, on the

other hand,

> is much more refined and complex. It contains ways to sign verbs in
> configuration, serial verbs with complex morphology, and first,

second, and

> third person pronouns.
>

1) I don't think that text is very clear on the subject of pronouns.
The occurrence of 'pronouns' in the last sentence could be read as
referring to the modified verbs the previous reference describes
(since the context seems to be 'verbs').

2) As also the previous reference states, NSL is not conceived ex
nihilo, but is founded on a 'pidgin consisting of home signs'. No
mention of whether those 'home signs' included pronouns, which, if
true, would invalidate your claim that pronouns in NSL is a
spontaneous (à la 'bekos') creation.

Torsten