Date:  Sun, 26 Jun 1994 15:26:30 -700

From:  Warren Keith Russell <wkr[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]US.DYNIX.COM>

Subject: Re: Double modals up north.



On Sat, 18 Jun 1994, THOMAS L CLARK wrote:



> On Sat, 18 Jun 1994 mftcf[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]UXA.ECN.BGU.EDU wrote:

>

> "I might could even put a [border up

> > there].

>

> Very common among Ogenites (Utah), and outside of big cities in Utah and

> Nevada. I worked for the IRS (blush) in the early 1960's at the Western

> Regional IRS center in Ogden. ALL of the middle-level supervisors used

> double modals, they were all from the region. Like Tim, I did a

> double-take when I first heard such. Still do perk up my ears when I

> hear residents of Nevada using same.



Sorry to jump in so late, but I had to say something about this. I first

heard this usage at the University of Illinois. It sounded really

"strange" to me at the time, and, I think, is still very much a marked

form for me.



That's why I was so surprised to see Thomas's claim that double modals are

common in Utah. I went to school in Provo for three years in the late

'60's, and moved back here 13 years ago. Granted, this isn't Ogden (about

an hour and a half away), but I have never heard the "natives" here use them.



Hmmmm....



Keith Russell

wkr[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]us.dynix.com