Date:  Fri, 14 Nov 1997 09:40:13 -0800
From:  Matthew James Gordon <gordonm[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]CALUMET.PURDUE.EDU>
Subject: Re: stay and live

Larry Horn wrote:
>
> Mark Mandel wonders,
>
> >Matthew James Gordon asks about...
> >>>
>
> The use of "stay" AS OPPOSED TO "live" as in "Where do you stay?" "I
> stay in Hammond on 173rd street." (It is clear that the meaning of
> temporary residence (e.g. "stay in a hotel") is not intended.) [emphasis
> added -- MAM]
>
> <<<
>
> >I am puzzled by the form of the question. You seem to be talking about
> >"stay" used as *equivalent* to "live" (in the sense of 'reside' [at a
> >permanent address]), and that is how respondents have taken it, so I
> >don't understand why you refer to opposition. Would you please explain?
>
> Actually I thought it was pretty clear in context. "stay" and "live" are in
> paradigmatic opposition as semantic equivalents, at least in this context. The
> use of "stay" in Dialect S (for Scots-derived, ex hyp.) is in opposition with
> the use of "live" in other dialects. This does not preclude my "live" from
> being (semantically) equivalent to your "stay".
>
> LOf course, that is precisely what I intended to convey. Thank you for
explaining it so clearly, Larry.