Re: Economic analysis of Indian History: meaning of Aryan

--- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "Brian M. Scott" <BMScott@...> wrote:

>
> At 12:53:41 AM on Tuesday, February 12, 2008, kishore
> patnaik wrote:
>
> > Scot,
>
> > Yes, your assumption is right wrt the semantics.
>
> > I repeat I have used the word cognates, knowing fully well
> > the meaning of the word. [...]
>
> Which amounts to saying that you deliberately misused it.
>
> The initial mistake wasn't a big problem; your continued
> defense of it is another matter.
>
> > Your refusal to help me is laughable to say the least.
>
> Actually, I didn't refuse.
>
> > I can not see how discussion of economic meanings of a
> > word has something to do with my basic or otherwise
> > knowledge of linguistics.
>
> It's a matter of basic courtesy. The primary focus of the
> list is (Indo-European) linguistics. What's more, your
> question is a linguistic question. Deliberate refusal to
> learn the most basic linguistic terminology or to use it
> correctly is therefore discourtesy, plain and simple.
>
> (Others may be feeling more generous, which is fine, but I'm
> afraid that my reservoir of good will was seriously depleted
> by that Maya nonsense.)

I think it's like this: Kishore thinks linguists are obsequious and
sycophantic lackeys to power (because they are some type of artisans,
like shoemakers), witness his belief some linguist made up the sense
of "loyal" for *ar-, because it served the purpose of the colonial
power, and therefore he has come to them to get himself a linguistic
definition that would serve his purposes. And now, although he had
used the appropriate scorn to show how much more important he is than
the artisans, they are reacting very inappropriately and he thinks we
are being rude and unhelpful (and I am reminded of those passengers in
various airport documentaries who scream at the obviously low-caste
personnel that they are being rude and unhelpful when they stick to
the rules and refuse to let them board half an hour late with 200 kg
excess basggage).

Am I right, Kishore? Isn't that the way you think things should be run?


Torsten