Re: [tied] Re: Also an Austro-Asiatic Disconnect

----- Original Message -----
From: "ehlsmith" <ehlsmith@...>
To: <cybalist@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, November 11, 2005 7:44 PM
Subject: [tied] Re: Also an Austro-Asiatic Disconnect


> --- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "Patrick Ryan" <proto-language@...>
> wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "ehlsmith" <ehlsmith@...>
> > To: <cybalist@yahoogroups.com>
> > Sent: Friday, November 11, 2005 3:50 PM
> > Subject: [tied] Re: Also an Austro-Asiatic Disconnect
> >
> >
> > > --- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "Patrick Ryan" <proto-
> language@...>
> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > From: "ehlsmith" <ehlsmith@...>
> .......
> > <snip>
> >
> > > So, yes of course I believe surnames can provide information about
> > > who one's ancestors were, but what the particular etymology of
> that
> > > surname was does not reveal anything about the character of
> present-
> > > day individuals bearing the name.
> > >
> > > Regards,
> > > Ned Smith
> >
> > ***
> > Patrick:
> >
> > I am not so sure. When these names originated, they (hopefully)
> made
> > justifiable characterizations. Both ability and character are, to
> some
> > extent, inheritable. No one doubts today, for example, that
> alcoholism and
> > schizophrenia are inheritable. Thousands of people have adopted
> babies with
> > unknown antecedents in this country, and found, to their great
> chagrin, that
> > excellent home surroundings cannot overcome poor heredity.
> >
> > If I meet someone named Rubin, is it not likely that he descends
> from a
> > family of jewelers?
>
> Patrick,
>
> I think we ought to continue this offlist since the topic is far from
> PIE. Suffice it to say that while you may assume one of my ancestors
> lost back in the mists of time was a metalworker, you would be very
> ill-advised to assume it would be a wise decision to pay me to do any
> metalwork for you.
>
> Regards,
> Ned Smith

***
Patrick:

With such a friendly attitude, I would be glad to employ you in any fashion
and hope for the best.

Even if the work were not perfect, I would have enjoyed the company.