Re: Dissimilation of gW/kWVw to gVw/kVw

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

> On Wed, 27 Apr 2005 13:58:43 +0000, pielewe
> <wrvermeer@...> wrote:
>
> >Unless I am grievously mistaken the correlation holds only in the
> >plural ("mensen" vs. "mensjes")
>
> Not for me. I tried to Google for examples, but "mensje"
> turns up mostly stuff about the writer Mensje van Keulen[*].
> "Een mensje" mostly stuff about babies, but one example of
> the usage I mean. The following poem (albeit by a Fleming):
>
> >Een mensje is gevallen op de straat
> >
> >Een mensje is gevallen op de straat
> >Een levend hoopje smart
> >Eens kijken of er iemand helpen gaat
> >De straat een leeg en roerloos part
>
> [etc.]
>
> When I read that, I'm almost 100% positive that it's about
> an old lady.

We agree about the facts: I react the same way. But then it turns out
that the element "feminine" is not a fixed part of the meaning, but
something the listener puts into it.

> ... Names are another area
> where the diminutive suffix is used to mark female gender.
> Guus is a boy, Guusje a girl.

Yes, and that is all the more striking because you can easily call
Guusje Guus, and even Guus Guusje if he is really small.


W.