Date: Wed, 29 Oct 1997 20:42:22 -0600

From: Samuel Jones smjones1[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]FACSTAFF.WISC.EDU

Subject: Re: Appalacian languages



"hit" is the neuter form og the f=definite article in Anglo_Saxon - which

had three genders: masculine, feminine, neuter - the definite articles

being, respectively "he" - "heo" - "hit"





I grew up in Oklahoma, Eastern Oklahoma, and "Hit don't make no nevermind!"

was not an uncommon exression. Interesting how a for over a thousand

years old can still be found so widely used.







I am currently in an Appalachian Literature course at my university. We

have read a lot of works lately where instead of saying "it", the person

says "hit". I was just wondering if this was still used today and also

where did it originate?



Lisa Dawn Burriss

ldburr01[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]morehead-st.edu

(606)796-3557





_______________________________

DR. SAMUEL M. JONES

Professor Emertitus

Music & Latin American Studies

University of Wisconsin-Madison

"Pen-y-Bryn" - 122 Shepard Terrace

Madison, WI 53705-3614 USA

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EMAIL: smjones1[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]facstaff.wisc.edu

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TELEPHONE: 608 + 233-2150

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