Language

[Haipule]

A part of language is etymology. I read an interesting book written by the linguist John McWhorter, frequent guest on fox news, titled, "The POWER of BABLE". In it he states:

"In Old English, the word that became silly meant “blessed.” Just as wanting to do something implies that one will do it, blessedness implies innocence. That kind of implication led people to gradually incorporate innocence into their conception of the word, and through time innocence ended up becoming the main connotation rather than the “definition 2” one, just as one sound gradually becomes another one through shades of the new sound gradually encroaching on the original one. Thus, by the Middle Ages silly meant “innocent”: about 1400, we find sentences such as Cely art thou, hooli virgyne marie. If one is innocent, one is deserving of compassion, and this was the next meaning of the word (a 1470 statement: Sely Scotland, that of helpe has gret neide), but because the deserving of compassion has a way of implying weakness, before long the meaning of silly was “weak” (1633: Thou onely art The mightie God, but I a sillie worm). From here it was a short step to “simple” or “ignorant,” and finally silly came to mean “foolish”- having begun meaning “sanctified by God”!"-- The POWER of BABLE, by John McWhorter, page 32

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Thank you! I think it was a valid question and so wrote it as a question.

You still don't get it. Your question was valid, yes.

BUT your premises weren't valid or sound, therefore, they do not lead to your conclusion.

Again, this is basic logic 101. You really should read a book on basic logic and forming valid and sound syllogisms.

The statement that man cannot think beyond his vocabulary is also valid.

Not without supporting it with demonstrable and falsifiable evidence, it isn't. As it is, it is nothing more than an unsupported assertion.

But, since we are on the Christian thread, biblically, God formed Adam and gave him a breath. Adam's job was to name the animals which would require a genius intellect from the start.

Another unsupported assertion.

Not to mention, that ALL of the scientific evidence available (fossil, DNA, comparative anatomy, etc), pretty much disproves that there was ever a 'first man, first woman' as depicted in the Biblical myth.

Then we have the tower of Babel where the language became languages. It says God did this or nothing would be impossible for man. Yet, now we have the internet and nothing is impossible for us now! Ha Ha Ha!

Another unsupported assertion.

No wonder you believe in ancient myths.

I can give you no scientific evidence for a Giver and you can give me no evidence of "natural evolutionary mechanisms". To say, "I am here, I can think, I can speak" does not prove an evolutionary process of human life nor the ability to even say it proves it was a process of evolution just because you said it. Evolution, when it comes to mankind and man things, drives me ape! Beyond that, go for'em Cuz!

There is tons of compelling natural evidence for explanations for language. Ignore it all you want, but it exists.

Evolution in language proves that Evolution is the genius! Who is Evolution that I may worship her? Congratulations, you have PROVED the evolution of Dumassedry! (did I spell it wrong or, did I invent another word?)! You and Evolution are the champions of mankind! You and Evolution are the "natural selection"! You and Evolution are the survivalists! I am the devolution! I'm sooo SCREWED! Who is "Evolution" again?

And, I am the asshole that argued with you!

Sorry Simon, I was laughing when I wrote that. Thank you for the chat though! Actually, I respect you and appreciate your comments! Happy late Festivus for the rest of us Day!