Re: American Dutch dialects

From: Rick McCallister
Message: 63520
Date: 2009-03-01

--- On Sat, 2/28/09, Andrew Jarrette <anjarrette@...> wrote:

. . .
> Yes, you're absolutely right. To tell the truth, I
> should have
> withdrawn from arguing with you long ago because I do not
> have enough
> knowledge of European and American history to make any
> claims which
> might be any more than just beliefs. Yes, your proposal
> stands and
> mine is just a belief. And you have every right to
> question my and
> any other belief about the origin of American English. I
> apologize
> for calling your proposal a belief. However, your proposal
> has not
> yet changed my belief, if your ultimate aim is to convince
> me or any
> other members of the list of its validity. I still think
> it's easier
> to believe that American retroflex /r/ was inherited from
> Irish,
> Scotch, and some English settlers, rather than due to Dutch
> influence
> or a Dutch substrate. Hope that's not opting out. I
> would have to
> read a lot of books and articles to argue my belief the
> science way,
> and I can't do that during the course of this
> discussion/argument with
> you.
>
> Andrew

I think we're at a standstill here. I haven't heard a peer from Piotr and wonder if he's laughing at our ignorance or if no one really knows the correct answer to this