Date: Thu, 30 Oct 1997 10:21:44 -0500 From: Robert Ness Subject: Re: "Hit" (was Appalacian [sic] languages) A number of words developed an intrusive /t/ after /s/ in ME as in ME listnen from OE hlysnan, or ME beheste from OE behaes. I wonder if "ast" is an instance showing the phenomenon is ongoing. Both ASKEN and AXEN are found in Chaucer too. On Thu, 30 Oct 1997, Ron Butters wrote: > Terry asks: > >My question is, does the metathetical > >pronunciation of "ask" > >characteristic of AAVE preserve an > >earlier form, or does it reflect a > >contemporary performance transposition? > > Since both ACSIAN and ASCIAN are found in Old English, my guess is that the > variation has always been there. My memory is that one finds both in 19th and > 20th century British dialects--i.e., it appears to be widespread and common > throughout history. In ddition, of course, it could continue to be reinforced > by being continually "reinvented" in the child-language acquistion process. > > In other words, Terry's question cannot be answered because the situation is > not an either/or one. > > By the way (as Don Lance notes), AKS/ASK is not (I think) any more > characteristic of AAVE than of many other contemporary dialects of English. > > As for D. Long's question about AST (pres.), this ils certainly common in > white speech in North Carolina. Will someone plese go check Orton and see if > it is found in English dialects as well? >