LINGUIST List 3.197

Thu 27 Feb 1992

Disc: Lexicon, Speech Therapy, Loss of -ed

Editor for this issue: <>

Directory

  • Evan Antworth, Re: Lexicon construction software
  • , Acquisition
  • Gregory Ward, m*a*s*h potatoes

    Message 1: Re: Lexicon construction software

     Date: Tue, 25 Feb 92 10:29:08 CSRe: Lexicon construction software
    From: Evan Antworth <evanutafll.uta.edu>
    Subject: Re: Lexicon construction software


    >I would like information on lexicon build-up software.

    There's DIMAP (DIctionary MAintenance Programs), available from CL Research, 20239 Lea Pond Place, Gaithersburg MD 20879, USA. I got a demo from Compuserve. (No evaluation or recommendation, just information!)

    Message 2: Acquisition

     Date: Tue, 25 Feb 92 15:23 BST Acquisition
    From: <MURRAYhprg.psychology.cardiff.ac.uk>
    Subject: Acquisition


    I've already replied direct, but wish also to reply publicly to the posting from jareaukcc.uky.edu which included the following about a speech therapist:

    "Apparently these people have no knowledge of the characteristics of American speech varieties and are willing to place the label 'handicapped' or 'inferior' on those who speak certain of these varieties."

    If by 'these people' he means all speech therapists, I take great exception to this sweeping comment. The suggestion that any given therapist would make the judgement this particular therapist made, let alone blithely 'label' the child 'handicapped' is offensive and untrue. And no therapist would ever under *any* circumstances describe a child as 'inferior'. The views he expresses are certainly not applicable to the profession in Britain, and I am quite certain they do American therapists an equal disservice.

    Alison Murray University of Wales, Cardiff.

    Message 3: m*a*s*h potatoes

     Date: Tue, 25 Feb 92 13:22:03 CSm*a*s*h potatoes
    From: Gregory Ward <wardpico.ling.nwu.edu>
    Subject: m*a*s*h potatoes


    George Fowler discusses `mashed' and `iced' as examples of prenominal adjectives that {are losing/have lost} their past participial ending before `potatoes' and `tea', respectively. May I add to that list the following (attasted) items:

    roast beef/pork corn beef steam clams ice cream/milk pop corn

    I hope the diagnosticians in question didn't take any of their subjects out to lunch...

    Gregory Ward wardpico.ling.nwu.edu

    p.s. Speaking of mash(-ed), I remember fondly my favorite waitress at Lil Pete's (a Greek luncheonette in Philadelphia), who always asked if I wanted `fries or mash' with my broil(-ed) chicken.