Re: Re[8]: [tied] Re: Convergence in the formation of IE subgroups

----- Original Message -----

From: Brian M. Scott

To: Patrick Ryan

Sent: Saturday, May 13, 2006 2:19 PM

Subject: Re[8]: [tied] Re: Convergence in the formation of IE subgroups

At 3:01:33 PM on Saturday, May 13, 2006, Patrick Ryan wrote:

> From: Brian M. Scott

>>> The burden of proof has been carried by Nostraticists
>>> like Bomhard, for example, whose work you reject without
>>> addressing its arguments with anything but your
>>> prejudices.

>> I do not believe that I have ever expressed an opinion of
>> Bomhard's work.

> Well, why not share your opinion of Bomhard's work with us
> now?

I have none.  I am not particularly interested in Nostratic,
frankly.  And it's off-topic here anyway.

***

Patrick:

 

How strange! No opinion on Bomhard. Do you even know his work; and if you do, how could you have no opinion?

 

Off-topic? Shall we shift to Nostratic-L for your answers?

 

How anyone who _purports_ to be interested in PIE could possibly _ignore_ Nostratic amazes me!

 

***

 

[...]

> Perhaps you are not aware, Brian, but I am not the only
> amateur or professional historical linguist who entertains
> the idea that very early forms of human language may be
> reconstructed.

I know of no historical linguist who believes any such
thing.  In particular, I don't consider Ruhlen a linguist,
but 'a crackpot and a charlatan' (quoting Larry Trask).

[...]

Brian

***

Patrick:

 

More ad hominems, second-hand, of course.

 

Is Starostin a linguist? How about Bronnikov?

 

***