In this chapter Pinker talks about the irregular nouns and verbs of English, with commentary on where they come from and where they are going. Also he demonstrates how language changes, and how it changes today.
Many words have been changed by lazy speakers that have swallowed the consonants that at some point in the Middle English period speakers didn't hear them and assumed that they were not there at all.
They blindly join things together without looking at what they are made of, and thus can create ungainly chimeras.
English shortens vowels at the beginning of many three syllable words.
Many words have been changed by lazy speakers that have swallowed the consonants that at some point in the Middle English period speakers didn't hear them and assumed that they were not there at all.
They blindly join things together without looking at what they are made of, and thus can create ungainly chimeras.
English shortens vowels at the beginning of many three syllable words.