Pure functions in D (OT)

[Jarrett Billingsley]

On Tue, Sep 23, 2008 at 3:42 PM, Paul D. Anderson
<paul.d.removethis.anderson at comcast.andthis.net> wrote:
> BCS Wrote:
>
>
>> I wonder if any language have the full tensor of pronouns?
>>
>> 1st/2nd/3rd person X singular/plural X male/female/mixed/neutral
>>
>> If you don't omit any as impossible that would be 24 words. That wold be
>> a mouth full, including duplicates (him/her vs. he/she, we vs. us) I count
>> 9 in English (add on me, you and them).
>>
>>
>
> FWIW, your list isn't long enough -- Maori (along with most other Polynesian languages) has a dual case as well -- singular/dual/plural. The language also distinguishes between the inclusive and exclusive use of "we" -- including or excluding the person being spoken to. "We're going to the baseball game" (And you're not!) vs. "We should get together sometime." (You and I should get together.)
>
> You also overlooked the reflexive pronouns -- myself, ourselves, itself, themselves, etc. English can be a little ragged in that area, again with regard to gender. If a person of indeterminate gender should take some reflexive action does he/she do it himself? herself? itself? themself? -- Even the otherwise servicable "they" doesn't work since it is invariable plural, "themselves", when used reflexively.
>
> And interrogatives are sometimes considered pronouns -- who/whom, etc. Do even the artificial languages (Esperanto, LogLan, etc.) fill all these slots??
>
> Paul
>
>

I need to start reading other posts before posting my own... someone
already beat me to the inclusive/exclusive we, it seems :S