Some Say Leland — The Hunchback
Album: Fifty Miles Into The MainAvg rating:
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Length: 5:09
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This song always makes me want to cry
SoundsGoodToMe wrote:
It's Casimir Leland Day maybe?
Some say Sufjan?
It's Casimir Leland Day maybe?
Some say Leland, some say Bob.
(Twin Peaks in-joke)
(Twin Peaks in-joke)
WonderLizard wrote:
Tho' I think Washington burned only once, in 1814 during the War of 1812, but I'm willing to be corrected. Indeed, if Washington burned now, I don't know too many who would fervently grieve.
Some of us would regret the loss of the buildings.
The occupants? Not so much.
Tho' I think Washington burned only once, in 1814 during the War of 1812, but I'm willing to be corrected. Indeed, if Washington burned now, I don't know too many who would fervently grieve.
Some of us would regret the loss of the buildings.
The occupants? Not so much.
Jelani wrote:
Wustershir (ˈwu̇-stər-ˌshir-)
I want to say that I really like this song; it's story and tune.
But I can't say that I don't like the comment thread here equally, or more.
Crazy Amer-O-Brit debate(s).
I think it needs a little bit of Worcestershire sauce on it. Worst uh sheer , that is.
But I can't say that I don't like the comment thread here equally, or more.
Crazy Amer-O-Brit debate(s).
I think it needs a little bit of Worcestershire sauce on it. Worst uh sheer , that is.
Wustershir (ˈwu̇-stər-ˌshir-)
SoundsGoodToMe wrote:
He's playing in the background
Some say Sufjan?
He's playing in the background
Not sure why this song triggers "Anglophones and English majors". But seems like a good album title.
Sad...wah
some sufjan here and there
oldkcscdj wrote:
http://www.worldwidewords.org/articles/aluminium.htm
tl;dr -- Sir Humphry Davy, despite of having named sodium, potassium, and magnesium, had strange fits of indecision around naming it. In 1807 he named it alumium, then decided it should be aluminum, and finally settled on aluminium in 1812, harmonizing its naming with the other three. It took another hundred years or so for the American Chemical Society to officially settle on the "wrong" spelling, and then it took another 65 years for the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry to standardize on aluminium.
So basically, we say "aluminum" because of history and stubbornness, just like we use inches and gallons in spite of the existence of a standard and rational system of units and measures.
The metric system is the tool of the devil. My car gets 40 rods to the hogshead, and that's the way I like that.
http://www.worldwidewords.org/articles/aluminium.htm
tl;dr -- Sir Humphry Davy, despite of having named sodium, potassium, and magnesium, had strange fits of indecision around naming it. In 1807 he named it alumium, then decided it should be aluminum, and finally settled on aluminium in 1812, harmonizing its naming with the other three. It took another hundred years or so for the American Chemical Society to officially settle on the "wrong" spelling, and then it took another 65 years for the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry to standardize on aluminium.
So basically, we say "aluminum" because of history and stubbornness, just like we use inches and gallons in spite of the existence of a standard and rational system of units and measures.
The metric system is the tool of the devil. My car gets 40 rods to the hogshead, and that's the way I like that.
Solanus wrote:
In the United States, it is correctly pronounced as it is spelled: aluminum. The fact that we are the only major country that spells it that way explains why we pronounce it "wrong". It really should follow the structure of potassium or barium or the like, but I'm guessing it became confused with platinum or something similar.
http://www.worldwidewords.org/articles/aluminium.htm
tl;dr -- Sir Humphry Davy, despite of having named sodium, potassium, and magnesium, had strange fits of indecision around naming it. In 1807 he named it alumium, then decided it should be aluminum, and finally settled on aluminium in 1812, harmonizing its naming with the other three. It took another hundred years or so for the American Chemical Society to officially settle on the "wrong" spelling, and then it took another 65 years for the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry to standardize on aluminium.
So basically, we say "aluminum" because of history and stubbornness, just like we use inches and gallons in spite of the existence of a standard and rational system of units and measures.
In the United States, it is correctly pronounced as it is spelled: aluminum. The fact that we are the only major country that spells it that way explains why we pronounce it "wrong". It really should follow the structure of potassium or barium or the like, but I'm guessing it became confused with platinum or something similar.
http://www.worldwidewords.org/articles/aluminium.htm
tl;dr -- Sir Humphry Davy, despite of having named sodium, potassium, and magnesium, had strange fits of indecision around naming it. In 1807 he named it alumium, then decided it should be aluminum, and finally settled on aluminium in 1812, harmonizing its naming with the other three. It took another hundred years or so for the American Chemical Society to officially settle on the "wrong" spelling, and then it took another 65 years for the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry to standardize on aluminium.
So basically, we say "aluminum" because of history and stubbornness, just like we use inches and gallons in spite of the existence of a standard and rational system of units and measures.
bb_matt wrote:
Works both ways :)
Say the world Aluminium - bet you prounounce it 'Aloo-minum', whereas I'll pronounce it 'Al-you-mini-um'
English is a funny old language at the best of times - hell, pronunciations are different 50 miles apart over here - and I'm sure they are in the USA too.
Doesn't make me mad, as it's all down to interpretation, except for the spelling of colour, which clearly has a U in it :D
In the United States, it is correctly pronounced as it is spelled: aluminum. The fact that we are the only major country that spells it that way explains why we pronounce it "wrong". It really should follow the structure of potassium or barium or the like, but I'm guessing it became confused with platinum or something similar.
Works both ways :)
Say the world Aluminium - bet you prounounce it 'Aloo-minum', whereas I'll pronounce it 'Al-you-mini-um'
English is a funny old language at the best of times - hell, pronunciations are different 50 miles apart over here - and I'm sure they are in the USA too.
Doesn't make me mad, as it's all down to interpretation, except for the spelling of colour, which clearly has a U in it :D
In the United States, it is correctly pronounced as it is spelled: aluminum. The fact that we are the only major country that spells it that way explains why we pronounce it "wrong". It really should follow the structure of potassium or barium or the like, but I'm guessing it became confused with platinum or something similar.
FYI "Some Say Leland" is likely a reference to "Coffee Blues" by Mississippi John Hurt. Great song that.
drewd wrote:
Probably those who own a mid 20th-century lorry made in England.
Who are these people who say Leland?
Probably those who own a mid 20th-century lorry made in England.
sunybuny wrote:
Me too. I wonder how many people there are like this. Too many.
This song makes me so sad.
Me too. I wonder how many people there are like this. Too many.
drewd wrote:
i wondered that myself.
Who are these people who say Leland?
i wondered that myself.
This song makes me so sad.
Who are these people who say Leland?
Some say "lee-land"
I say, and some others, say "lay-land"
I want to say that I really like this song; it's story and tune.
But I can't say that I don't like the comment thread here equally, or more.
Crazy Amer-O-Brit debate(s).
I think it needs a little bit of Worcestershire sauce on it. Worst uh sheer , that is.
But I can't say that I don't like the comment thread here equally, or more.
Crazy Amer-O-Brit debate(s).
I think it needs a little bit of Worcestershire sauce on it. Worst uh sheer , that is.
Thanks Bill for turning me on to Some Say Leland, I picked this up awhile back and find the collection to be nice listen. Somewhat mellow but hits the spot when the mood calls for mellow.
Yet another example of Radio Paradise's eclectic programming not available anywhere else.
Yet another example of Radio Paradise's eclectic programming not available anywhere else.
FluorideFreeMN wrote:
I'm hearing Sufjan Stevens...or at least his band playing the melody.
Yep yep..
I'm hearing Sufjan Stevens...or at least his band playing the melody.
Yep yep..
MJdub wrote:
I don't even know what "Thaydon Boyce" refers to
Maybe when you're older...
I don't even know what "Thaydon Boyce" refers to
Maybe when you're older... rdo wrote:
What makes me want to put my fist through a wall is when a Brit says "schedule". Ugh.
schedule
schedule
schedule
schedule
schedule
schedule
schedule
schedule
schedule
schedule
schedule
schedule
How are your broken hands?
Do you need a stronger wall?
shed duel
skege yule
etc etc
(Larfing)
What makes me want to put my fist through a wall is when a Brit says "schedule". Ugh.
schedule
schedule
schedule
schedule
schedule
schedule
schedule
schedule
schedule
schedule
schedule
schedule
How are your broken hands?
Do you need a stronger wall?
shed duel
skege yule
etc etc
(Larfing)
Yeah, as long as I'm not forced to pronounce the city the cathedral is in as "Puhree," I'm gonna go ahead and pronounce the name of the cathedral the intuitive, phonetic way.
I don't even know what "Thaydon Boyce" refers to
I don't even know what "Thaydon Boyce" refers to
fredriley wrote:
Like that will ever happen in America. Check out some movies on this list to give you a feel for Indiana and how entrenched "Noater Dayme" is embedded in the American mind. "Rudy" would be a good choice as it's about a kid at Notre Dame trying to make the school's legendary football team.
Looks like you lot have your own issues with spellings and pronunciations . Someday you'll have to explain how "Featherstonehaugh" gets pronounced as "Fanshaw." Hell, you even have trouble with "Ralph."
Can't you feel his pain, people?
"Noater dayme" grates as much as "Thaydon Boyce" as an egregious, clunking, and ear-mangling mis-pronunciation. I can understand "Noater Dame" when applied to the US university as it's part of US lingo, but when applied to the French locality it should be pronounced as the French pronounce it.
Like that will ever happen in America. Check out some movies on this list to give you a feel for Indiana and how entrenched "Noater Dayme" is embedded in the American mind. "Rudy" would be a good choice as it's about a kid at Notre Dame trying to make the school's legendary football team.
Looks like you lot have your own issues with spellings and pronunciations . Someday you'll have to explain how "Featherstonehaugh" gets pronounced as "Fanshaw." Hell, you even have trouble with "Ralph."
Can't you feel his pain, people?
rdo wrote:
That is not really true. We started as a British colony, before we whupped your buts, so we started the same.
oldsaxon wrote:
Brits burned Washington down...twice I believe...if we're having a big whoop ass competition...
Actually, we're not having a competition. As someone once said, Britain and the US are "two great nations separated by a common language."
Tho' I think Washington burned only once, in 1814 during the War of 1812, but I'm willing to be corrected. Indeed, if Washington burned now, I don't know too many who would fervently grieve.
BTW, rdo, "butts" is with two tees, and try to relax, okay?
That is not really true. We started as a British colony, before we whupped your buts, so we started the same.
oldsaxon wrote:
Brits burned Washington down...twice I believe...if we're having a big whoop ass competition...
Actually, we're not having a competition. As someone once said, Britain and the US are "two great nations separated by a common language."
Tho' I think Washington burned only once, in 1814 during the War of 1812, but I'm willing to be corrected. Indeed, if Washington burned now, I don't know too many who would fervently grieve.
BTW, rdo, "butts" is with two tees, and try to relax, okay?
rdo wrote:
That is not really true. We started as a British colony, before we whupped your buts, so we started the same.
Brits burned Washington down...twice I believe...if we're having a big whoop ass competition...
That is not really true. We started as a British colony, before we whupped your buts, so we started the same.
Brits burned Washington down...twice I believe...if we're having a big whoop ass competition...
This song makes me sad.
TerryS wrote:
So how do the Vietnamese pronounce schedule?
lá»ch trình?
So how do the Vietnamese pronounce schedule?
lá»ch trình?
Verpeiler wrote:
I'm hearing Sufjan Stevens...or at least his band playing the melody.
I'm hearing Ron Sexsmith …
I'm hearing Sufjan Stevens...or at least his band playing the melody.
rdo wrote:
That is not really true. We started as a British colony, before we whupped your buts, so we started the same.
So how do the Vietnamese pronounce schedule?
That is not really true. We started as a British colony, before we whupped your buts, so we started the same.
So how do the Vietnamese pronounce schedule?
oldsaxon wrote:
You say it wrong. The Brits were saying it a long time before you lot were.
That is not really true. We started as a British colony, before we whupped your buts, so we started the same.
You say it wrong. The Brits were saying it a long time before you lot were.
That is not really true. We started as a British colony, before we whupped your buts, so we started the same.
bb_matt wrote:
Works both ways :)
Say the world Aluminium - bet you prounounce it 'Aloo-minum', whereas I'll pronounce it 'Al-you-mini-um'
English is a funny old language at the best of times - hell, pronunciations are different 50 miles apart over here - and I'm sure they are in the USA too.
Doesn't make me mad, as it's all down to interpretation, except for the spelling of colour, which clearly has a U in it :D
It may make me smirk, or roll my eyes,.. but it's not that big a deal for a fist through the wall. Save that for something more important.
Works both ways :)
Say the world Aluminium - bet you prounounce it 'Aloo-minum', whereas I'll pronounce it 'Al-you-mini-um'
English is a funny old language at the best of times - hell, pronunciations are different 50 miles apart over here - and I'm sure they are in the USA too.
Doesn't make me mad, as it's all down to interpretation, except for the spelling of colour, which clearly has a U in it :D
It may make me smirk, or roll my eyes,.. but it's not that big a deal for a fist through the wall. Save that for something more important.
rdo wrote:
What makes me want to put my fist through a wall is when a Brit says "schedule". Ugh.
Works both ways :)
Say the world Aluminium - bet you prounounce it 'Aloo-minum', whereas I'll pronounce it 'Al-you-mini-um'
English is a funny old language at the best of times - hell, pronunciations are different 50 miles apart over here - and I'm sure they are in the USA too.
Doesn't make me mad, as it's all down to interpretation, except for the spelling of colour, which clearly has a U in it :D
What makes me want to put my fist through a wall is when a Brit says "schedule". Ugh.
Works both ways :)
Say the world Aluminium - bet you prounounce it 'Aloo-minum', whereas I'll pronounce it 'Al-you-mini-um'
English is a funny old language at the best of times - hell, pronunciations are different 50 miles apart over here - and I'm sure they are in the USA too.
Doesn't make me mad, as it's all down to interpretation, except for the spelling of colour, which clearly has a U in it :D
rdo wrote:
What makes me want to put my fist through a wall is when a Brit says "schedule". Ugh.
You say it wrong. The Brits were saying it a long time before you lot were.
What makes me want to put my fist through a wall is when a Brit says "schedule". Ugh.
You say it wrong. The Brits were saying it a long time before you lot were.
I'm hearing Ron Sexsmith …
A rare group of us. It's a pity.
Hannio wrote:
Yeah, it's despicable. On the other hand, have you ever heard a Brit say "Nicaragua"? It will make your toes curl.
What makes me want to put my fist through a wall is when a Brit says "schedule". Ugh.
Yeah, it's despicable. On the other hand, have you ever heard a Brit say "Nicaragua"? It will make your toes curl.
What makes me want to put my fist through a wall is when a Brit says "schedule". Ugh.
Pronunciation aside, this song beautifully captures a heartfelt sense of loneliness in a gentle soul. Reminds me of Eleanor Rigby in that respect.
bb_matt wrote:
Yeah, it's despicable. On the other hand, have you ever heard a Brit say "Nicaragua"? It will make your toes curl.
Lost me the moment he tried to pronounce Notre-Dame
Yeah, it's despicable. On the other hand, have you ever heard a Brit say "Nicaragua"? It will make your toes curl.
MojoJojo wrote:
Some say Leland sounds like Jack Johnson.
Some say Leland sounds like Jack Johnson.
Lost me the moment he tried to pronounce Notre-Dame
TerryS wrote:
Quaiseye Mowdoe.
I can't wait to hear him sing "Leicestershire".
Quaiseye Mowdoe.
fredriley wrote:
Dear, dear fredriley,
When is the rest of the world going to realize that us Americans do and think however we please? It's our manifest destiny, sir. All the rest of the world's citizens are just hosts and hostesses when we decide to be tourists.
With my most sincere regards,
unclehud
"Noater dayme" grates as much as "Thaydon Boyce" as an egregious, clunking, and ear-mangling mis-pronunciation. I can understand "Noater Dame" when applied to the US university as it's part of US lingo, but when applied to the French locality it should be pronounced as the French pronounce it. Crass song, crap tune, with no redeeming features to these ears other than its end.
Dear, dear fredriley,
When is the rest of the world going to realize that us Americans do and think however we please? It's our manifest destiny, sir. All the rest of the world's citizens are just hosts and hostesses when we decide to be tourists.
With my most sincere regards,
unclehud
boober wrote:
Some say Leland....
what do others say?
what do others say?
Dr. Seuss porn!
Stingray wrote:
Is that Freddy Riley?
What he does with the orange band, one wonders?!
Unspeakable things.
Did someone leave the cake out in the rain again?
Reminds me of Romans 12:16. "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited."
I can't wait to hear him sing "Leicestershire".
fredriley wrote:
I feel the same way. Every time he says it I cringe.
"Noater dayme" grates as much as "Thaydon Boyce" as an egregious, clunking, and ear-mangling mis-pronunciation. I can understand "Noater Dame" when applied to the US university as it's part of US lingo, but when applied to the French locality it should be pronounced as the French pronounce it. Crass song, crap tune, with no redeeming features to these ears other than its end.
I feel the same way. Every time he says it I cringe.
I thought at first Bill had found another Mumford and Son album!!!! Need to listen again !!
coccyx wrote:
He vfould haff an enormous schvanshtukker!
Ixnay on the ottenray.
He vfould haff an enormous schvanshtukker!
Ixnay on the ottenray.
fredriley wrote:
"Noater dayme" grates as much as "Thaydon Boyce" as an egregious, clunking, and ear-mangling mis-pronunciation. I can understand "Noater Dame" when applied to the US university as it's part of US lingo, but when applied to the French locality it should be pronounced as the French pronounce it. Crass song, crap tune, with no redeeming features to these ears other than its end.
having a bad day?
On_The_Beach wrote:
Nice get.
The Avett Mumford Elephant Revival? ; )
Nice get.
Darlington wrote:
Funny, I heard this and thought that it had to be something off of the new Andrew Bird CD that came out this week!
wow
this may make me a minority, again, but honestly, i cannot stand andrew bird. not one song. but, this? i was drawn to from the first few bars. granted, i had wished the lyrics were a little different, but...i'm liking this. and i'm so out of my element, donnie.
Funny, I heard this and thought that it had to be something off of the new Andrew Bird CD that came out this week!
wow
this may make me a minority, again, but honestly, i cannot stand andrew bird. not one song. but, this? i was drawn to from the first few bars. granted, i had wished the lyrics were a little different, but...i'm liking this. and i'm so out of my element, donnie.first time hearing.
i liked it a lot until the vocals.
still listening.
i liked it a lot until the vocals.
still listening.
"Noater dayme" grates as much as "Thaydon Boyce" as an egregious, clunking, and ear-mangling mis-pronunciation. I can understand "Noater Dame" when applied to the US university as it's part of US lingo, but when applied to the French locality it should be pronounced as the French pronounce it. Crass song, crap tune, with no redeeming features to these ears other than its end.
scraig wrote:
Is that one of those vulvazelas?
Is that one of those vulvazelas?
skyguy wrote:
He vfould haff an enormous schvanshtukker!
"You know I don't mean to embarrass you but I'm a rather brilliant surgeon perhaps I can help you with that hump."
"What hump?"
"What hump?"
He vfould haff an enormous schvanshtukker!
Some say this isn't so hot.
Darlington wrote:
Funny, I heard this and thought that it had to be something off of the new Andrew Bird CD that came out this week!
Same thoughts here.. Was checking in to see which Andrew Bird song was played :-)
Funny, I heard this and thought that it had to be something off of the new Andrew Bird CD that came out this week!
Same thoughts here.. Was checking in to see which Andrew Bird song was played :-)
Tana wrote:
It's NOT Andrew Bird? Really?
Funny, I heard this and thought that it had to be something off of the new Andrew Bird CD that came out this week!
It's NOT Andrew Bird? Really?
Funny, I heard this and thought that it had to be something off of the new Andrew Bird CD that came out this week!
"You know I don't mean to embarrass you but I'm a rather brilliant surgeon perhaps I can help you with that hump."
"What hump?"
"What hump?"
Felix_The_Cat wrote:
It's NOT Andrew Bird? Really?
This always reminds me of Andrew Bird...
It's NOT Andrew Bird? Really?
Some Say Leland. I Say Steve.
terrapin52 wrote:
I'll back that hunch.
I had a hunch you'd play this.
I'll back that hunch.
Poor ole hunchback!
fredriley wrote:
It's got a whopping vocabulary, right enough, but the structure is a mess. There's a minority view in linguistic circles that English is a creole language, as those are characterised by the loss of complex structures from the parent languages. I subscribe to this view, not as a linguist, but because it really pisses off English nationalists.
Fred rules
It's got a whopping vocabulary, right enough, but the structure is a mess. There's a minority view in linguistic circles that English is a creole language, as those are characterised by the loss of complex structures from the parent languages. I subscribe to this view, not as a linguist, but because it really pisses off English nationalists.
Fred rules
I had a hunch you'd play this.
dwlangham wrote:
It's pretty much "open source". You can extend it as needed.
For that matter, isn't all language "open sourced?" I love English for its endless inventiveness and flexibility—without some Academy In Charge of The Language banning some words and accepting others.I recall when CDs went into high gear, and the French academy (literally...Academie francaise) decided that they'd had it with the cooption of English words into the French language. Instead of "compact discs," they became "disques numerique," and indeed the latter is slathered all over CD players from Languedoc to Quebec. So, what do the French call CDs? "CDs." However, in fairness to the Academie, they didn't bristle too very much over the compromise disques compact.
It's pretty much "open source". You can extend it as needed.
For that matter, isn't all language "open sourced?" I love English for its endless inventiveness and flexibility—without some Academy In Charge of The Language banning some words and accepting others.I recall when CDs went into high gear, and the French academy (literally...Academie francaise) decided that they'd had it with the cooption of English words into the French language. Instead of "compact discs," they became "disques numerique," and indeed the latter is slathered all over CD players from Languedoc to Quebec. So, what do the French call CDs? "CDs."
However, in fairness to the Academie, they didn't bristle too very much over the compromise disques compact.I love RP! Having the opportunity to listen to great little tunes that no one will hear anywhere else makes me feel so fortunate. Thanks Bill.
kudos for freakin assimilation !!
fredriley wrote:
It's got a whopping vocabulary, right enough, but the structure is a mess. There's a minority view in linguistic circles that English is a creole language, as those are characterised by the loss of complex structures from the parent languages. I subscribe to this view, not as a linguist, but because it really pisses off English nationalists.
Up with which, we shall not put.
fredriley wrote:
It's got a whopping vocabulary, right enough, but the structure is a mess. There's a minority view in linguistic circles that English is a creole language, as those are characterised by the loss of complex structures from the parent languages. I subscribe to this view, not as a linguist, but because it really pisses off English nationalists.
Up with which, we shall not put.
some say Leland shouldn't quit his day job...
Byronape wrote:
I love this argument. I'm one of those ethnocentric American, English only speaking people (and I'm a bit embarrassed about it too) and I have to agree. I understand from many of the people I work with (I work in a very technical, multi-cultural green energy company), non-native English speakers I have befriended over the years, and working in a coffee shop on a large college campus and listening to people from all over the world try to learn English, that English can be easy to pick up on the surface but a monster to master. The lack of subjunctives can almost make it easier, but English is such a bastardized language that at least half of the words in the language have an origin in another language.
Basically, at least in the US, we take words, mangle they way they are pronounced, and make them our own.
It's pretty much "open source". You can extend it as needed.
I love this argument. I'm one of those ethnocentric American, English only speaking people (and I'm a bit embarrassed about it too) and I have to agree. I understand from many of the people I work with (I work in a very technical, multi-cultural green energy company), non-native English speakers I have befriended over the years, and working in a coffee shop on a large college campus and listening to people from all over the world try to learn English, that English can be easy to pick up on the surface but a monster to master. The lack of subjunctives can almost make it easier, but English is such a bastardized language that at least half of the words in the language have an origin in another language.
Basically, at least in the US, we take words, mangle they way they are pronounced, and make them our own.
It's pretty much "open source". You can extend it as needed.
z11355 wrote:
Yes.
Anyone else hearing a bit of Donna The Buffalo in this?
Yes.
fredriley wrote:
Nope. Consider that English is an 'uninflected' language: no gender, no cases, so no need for agreements such as you have in other European languages. The subjunctive is an unused rump, akin to the appendix in the body, unlike Italian, say, where the subjunctive is an important part of the language. This loss of complexity is characteristic of a creole language derived from one or more languages imposed by colonial masters (in the case of English, that would be Saxons, Norse and Normans).
English is highly irregular compared to many other languages, in terms of pronunciation, spelling, and constructions. It also has a wide (and also irregular) vocabulary, but vocabularly isn't syntax. Being highly irregular doesn't make it grammatically complex, though it does make it a stinker to learn.
I'm not a linguist, and I know that this is a minority hypothesis amongst linguists, but having studied other inflected languages (Italian, French, Gaelic) and knowing bits of others (German, Spanish) the contrast between them and English is glaring. IMO English is a real dog's dinner (to use an English idiom). But what the hey, we're going a bit off-topic here, even if the discussion is far more interesting than this song.
I love this argument. I'm one of those ethnocentric American, English only speaking people (and I'm a bit embarrassed about it too) and I have to agree. I understand from many of the people I work with (I work in a very technical, multi-cultural green energy company), non-native English speakers I have befriended over the years, and working in a coffee shop on a large college campus and listening to people from all over the world try to learn English, that English can be easy to pick up on the surface but a monster to master. The lack of subjunctives can almost make it easier, but English is such a bastardized language that at least half of the words in the language have an origin in another language.
Basically, at least in the US, we take words, mangle they way they are pronounced, and make them our own.
Nope. Consider that English is an 'uninflected' language: no gender, no cases, so no need for agreements such as you have in other European languages. The subjunctive is an unused rump, akin to the appendix in the body, unlike Italian, say, where the subjunctive is an important part of the language. This loss of complexity is characteristic of a creole language derived from one or more languages imposed by colonial masters (in the case of English, that would be Saxons, Norse and Normans).
English is highly irregular compared to many other languages, in terms of pronunciation, spelling, and constructions. It also has a wide (and also irregular) vocabulary, but vocabularly isn't syntax. Being highly irregular doesn't make it grammatically complex, though it does make it a stinker to learn.
I'm not a linguist, and I know that this is a minority hypothesis amongst linguists, but having studied other inflected languages (Italian, French, Gaelic) and knowing bits of others (German, Spanish) the contrast between them and English is glaring. IMO English is a real dog's dinner (to use an English idiom). But what the hey, we're going a bit off-topic here, even if the discussion is far more interesting than this song.
I love this argument. I'm one of those ethnocentric American, English only speaking people (and I'm a bit embarrassed about it too) and I have to agree. I understand from many of the people I work with (I work in a very technical, multi-cultural green energy company), non-native English speakers I have befriended over the years, and working in a coffee shop on a large college campus and listening to people from all over the world try to learn English, that English can be easy to pick up on the surface but a monster to master. The lack of subjunctives can almost make it easier, but English is such a bastardized language that at least half of the words in the language have an origin in another language.
Basically, at least in the US, we take words, mangle they way they are pronounced, and make them our own.
Anyone else hearing a bit of Donna The Buffalo in this?
The Avett Mumford Elephant Revival? ; )
Cynaera wrote:
I believe that explanation is called a coincidence, not a miracle ;)
I kinda love this song. I can relate to the analogy of the hunchback who performs miracles and they go unnoticed because he's, well, a hunchback. Never judge a book by its cover. In fact, never judge.
Every time I hear this song, I just love it more. "Miracles" happen every day, but they're not Biblical miracles - they're just everyday events that happen to be in the right place at the right time. Serendipitous.
And that's why I love this song.
Every time I hear this song, I just love it more. "Miracles" happen every day, but they're not Biblical miracles - they're just everyday events that happen to be in the right place at the right time. Serendipitous.
And that's why I love this song.
I believe that explanation is called a coincidence, not a miracle ;)
I kinda love this song. I can relate to the analogy of the hunchback who performs miracles and they go unnoticed because he's, well, a hunchback. Never judge a book by its cover. In fact, never judge.
Every time I hear this song, I just love it more. "Miracles" happen every day, but they're not Biblical miracles - they're just everyday events that happen to be in the right place at the right time. Serendipitous.
And that's why I love this song.
Every time I hear this song, I just love it more. "Miracles" happen every day, but they're not Biblical miracles - they're just everyday events that happen to be in the right place at the right time. Serendipitous.
And that's why I love this song.
This song is as strange as the subject....
lewie221 wrote:
+1 Humanity is depressing to begin with. This song just makes it more so.
Returning to the music..
I think this may be the saddest thing I've ever heard. I like it, but it's acutely melancholy.
I think this may be the saddest thing I've ever heard. I like it, but it's acutely melancholy.
+1 Humanity is depressing to begin with. This song just makes it more so.
scraig wrote:
Is that Freddy Riley?
What he does with the orange band, one wonders?!
Is that Freddy Riley?
What he does with the orange band, one wonders?!
MojoJojo wrote:
Some say Leland sounds like Jack Johnson.
Some say "LEE LAND"
others say
GAYLORD FOCKER
Some say Leland sounds like Jack Johnson.
Some say "LEE LAND"
others say
GAYLORD FOCKER
boober wrote:
Some say Leland sounds like Jack Johnson.
Some say Leland....
what do others say?
what do others say?
Some say Leland sounds like Jack Johnson.
Some say Leland....
what do others say?
what do others say?
Returning to the music..
I think this may be the saddest thing I've ever heard. I like it, but it's acutely melancholy.
I think this may be the saddest thing I've ever heard. I like it, but it's acutely melancholy.
fredriley wrote:
Interesting that the other languages you mention while, for the sake of argument, 'complex' are also poor at adapting to new and/or different conceptualisations.
The perennial snits of L'Académie française over creeping Anglicisms come to mind - the terminology is adopted (to pedantic chagrin) because Française can not or will not adapt.
Some German words are so long that they have a perspective. — Mark Twain
Nope. Consider that English is an 'uninflected' language: no gender, no cases, so no need for agreements such as you have in other European languages. The subjunctive is an unused rump, akin to the appendix in the body, unlike Italian, say, where the subjunctive is an important part of the language. This loss of complexity is characteristic of a creole language derived from one or more languages imposed by colonial masters (in the case of English, that would be Saxons, Norse and Normans).
English is highly irregular compared to many other languages, in terms of pronunciation, spelling, and constructions. It also has a wide (and also irregular) vocabulary, but vocabularly isn't syntax. Being highly irregular doesn't make it grammatically complex, though it does make it a stinker to learn.
I'm not a linguist, and I know that this is a minority hypothesis amongst linguists, but having studied other inflected languages (Italian, French, Gaelic) and knowing bits of others (German, Spanish) the contrast between them and English is glaring. IMO English is a real dog's dinner (to use an English idiom). But what the hey, we're going a bit off-topic here, even if the discussion is far more interesting than this song.
English is highly irregular compared to many other languages, in terms of pronunciation, spelling, and constructions. It also has a wide (and also irregular) vocabulary, but vocabularly isn't syntax. Being highly irregular doesn't make it grammatically complex, though it does make it a stinker to learn.
I'm not a linguist, and I know that this is a minority hypothesis amongst linguists, but having studied other inflected languages (Italian, French, Gaelic) and knowing bits of others (German, Spanish) the contrast between them and English is glaring. IMO English is a real dog's dinner (to use an English idiom). But what the hey, we're going a bit off-topic here, even if the discussion is far more interesting than this song.
Interesting that the other languages you mention while, for the sake of argument, 'complex' are also poor at adapting to new and/or different conceptualisations.
The perennial snits of L'Académie française over creeping Anglicisms come to mind - the terminology is adopted (to pedantic chagrin) because Française can not or will not adapt.
German is more adaptable but the methodology - compounded words - would give Reuben Lucius Goldberg conniptions.
Some German words are so long that they have a perspective. — Mark Twain
Me, I like English. It's adaptable, not just in accommodating new concepts but in manners of phrasing and emphasis. It may lack in some areas, but it is endowed with an embarrassment of riches in most. That may be 'irregular', but it's also great fun.
And I still like the song.
Whimsy has its place.
And I still like the song.
Whimsy has its place.
fredriley wrote:
It's got a whopping vocabulary, right enough, but the structure is a mess. There's a minority view in linguistic circles that English is a creole language, as those are characterised by the loss of complex structures from the parent languages. I subscribe to this view, not as a linguist, but because it really pisses off English nationalists.
Up with which, we shall not put.
It's got a whopping vocabulary, right enough, but the structure is a mess. There's a minority view in linguistic circles that English is a creole language, as those are characterised by the loss of complex structures from the parent languages. I subscribe to this view, not as a linguist, but because it really pisses off English nationalists.
Up with which, we shall not put.
aelfheld wrote:
Nope. Consider that English is an 'uninflected' language: no gender, no cases, so no need for agreements such as you have in other European languages. The subjunctive is an unused rump, akin to the appendix in the body, unlike Italian, say, where the subjunctive is an important part of the language. This loss of complexity is characteristic of a creole language derived from one or more languages imposed by colonial masters (in the case of English, that would be Saxons, Norse and Normans).
English is highly irregular compared to many other languages, in terms of pronunciation, spelling, and constructions. It also has a wide (and also irregular) vocabulary, but vocabularly isn't syntax. Being highly irregular doesn't make it grammatically complex, though it does make it a stinker to learn.
I'm not a linguist, and I know that this is a minority hypothesis amongst linguists, but having studied other inflected languages (Italian, French, Gaelic) and knowing bits of others (German, Spanish) the contrast between them and English is glaring. IMO English is a real dog's dinner (to use an English idiom). But what the hey, we're going a bit off-topic here, even if the discussion is far more interesting than this song.
Loss of complex structures? You're kidding, right?
Nope. Consider that English is an 'uninflected' language: no gender, no cases, so no need for agreements such as you have in other European languages. The subjunctive is an unused rump, akin to the appendix in the body, unlike Italian, say, where the subjunctive is an important part of the language. This loss of complexity is characteristic of a creole language derived from one or more languages imposed by colonial masters (in the case of English, that would be Saxons, Norse and Normans).
English is highly irregular compared to many other languages, in terms of pronunciation, spelling, and constructions. It also has a wide (and also irregular) vocabulary, but vocabularly isn't syntax. Being highly irregular doesn't make it grammatically complex, though it does make it a stinker to learn.
I'm not a linguist, and I know that this is a minority hypothesis amongst linguists, but having studied other inflected languages (Italian, French, Gaelic) and knowing bits of others (German, Spanish) the contrast between them and English is glaring. IMO English is a real dog's dinner (to use an English idiom). But what the hey, we're going a bit off-topic here, even if the discussion is far more interesting than this song.
This is reminicent of David Bromberg.....actually David Bromberg does it better.
fredriley wrote:
Loss of complex structures? You're kidding, right? English is one of the most maddeningly complex languages to ever develop. Certes it is one of the hardest to acquire as a secondary tongue.
It's got a whopping vocabulary, right enough, but the structure is a mess. There's a minority view in linguistic circles that English is a creole language, as those are characterised by the loss of complex structures from the parent languages. I subscribe to this view, not as a linguist, but because it really pisses off English nationalists.
Loss of complex structures? You're kidding, right? English is one of the most maddeningly complex languages to ever develop. Certes it is one of the hardest to acquire as a secondary tongue.
WonderLizard wrote:
Fred, I'm—frankly—surprised to hear this from you. The English language is a glorious agglomeration of acquisitions, impositions, piracies, confabulations, clever inventions, and not so clever mistakes. It has 2-3 times as many words as any Romance language which in turn gives it its enormous capacity for metaphor.
It's got a whopping vocabulary, right enough, but the structure is a mess. There's a minority view in linguistic circles that English is a creole language, as those are characterised by the loss of complex structures from the parent languages. I subscribe to this view, not as a linguist, but because it really pisses off English nationalists.
Fred, I'm—frankly—surprised to hear this from you. The English language is a glorious agglomeration of acquisitions, impositions, piracies, confabulations, clever inventions, and not so clever mistakes. It has 2-3 times as many words as any Romance language which in turn gives it its enormous capacity for metaphor.
It's got a whopping vocabulary, right enough, but the structure is a mess. There's a minority view in linguistic circles that English is a creole language, as those are characterised by the loss of complex structures from the parent languages. I subscribe to this view, not as a linguist, but because it really pisses off English nationalists.
fredriley wrote:
Fred, I'm—frankly—surprised to hear this from you. The English language is a glorious agglomeration of acquisitions, impositions, piracies, confabulations, clever inventions, and not so clever mistakes. It has 2-3 times as many words as any Romance language which in turn gives it its enormous capacity for metaphor. Oh, yes, the spellings and pronunciations are oftimes maddening, but that's what keeps life and art interesting, eh?
Frankly, the whole English language is an abominable mess, a bastard creole of Saxon, French, Norse, with smatterings of Gaelic and Welsh. It's a linguistic disaster area.
Fred, I'm—frankly—surprised to hear this from you. The English language is a glorious agglomeration of acquisitions, impositions, piracies, confabulations, clever inventions, and not so clever mistakes. It has 2-3 times as many words as any Romance language which in turn gives it its enormous capacity for metaphor. Oh, yes, the spellings and pronunciations are oftimes maddening, but that's what keeps life and art interesting, eh?
AmelieMellow wrote:
Welcome to the Land of OhMyGod. Have fun, and don't feed the trolls (that's MY job.) 
Hmm... this is my first post. :)
Thank you Paradise Radio for playing this song! I went to Amazon immediately to purchase it— it's one of my favorites now but I like mellow folk-y music anyway.
Thank you Paradise Radio for playing this song! I went to Amazon immediately to purchase it— it's one of my favorites now but I like mellow folk-y music anyway.
Welcome to the Land of OhMyGod.
Have fun, and don't feed the trolls (that's MY job.) 10>10
ziggytrix wrote:
Darm? Where's the R come from? Should be Dahm, shouldn't it?
Darm? Where's the R come from? Should be Dahm, shouldn't it?
fredriley wrote:
Darm? Where's the R come from? Should be Dahm, shouldn't it?
A Pedant writes: you may have Nohtre Daym university in the States, but when you're talking about the cathedral in France it's pronounced Notre Darm. Sorry, that sort of thing bugs me. A bit like the district of Theydon Bois in East London, which the Lahndahners insist on pronouncing Thaydon Boyce. Yeesh!
Darm? Where's the R come from? Should be Dahm, shouldn't it?
fredriley wrote:
English English pronunciation is pretty perverse, right enough, though lieutenant should be pronounced à la français, not 'left tenant' or 'loo tenant', so all English is wrong on that one. Aluminium (not the extra i) is pronounced as the English English write it. Similarly advertisement is spelt in English English with an 's' and is thus not pronounced with a zed (sorry, 'zee').Two nations separated by a common language.
Frankly, the whole English language is an abominable mess, a bastard creole of Saxon, French, Norse, with smatterings of Gaelic and Welsh. It's a linguistic disaster area.
"Linguistic disaster area" — brilliant. The wildest "British-ism" I ever hear was a guy on the BBC referring to a "suck-SUFF-uh-nist," meaning someone who plays the saxophone. Accent on the second syllable? Really?!? Or referring to the French flag as the "trickeler," which I think was supposed to be "tricolor." I love The Beeb!
English English pronunciation is pretty perverse, right enough, though lieutenant should be pronounced à la français, not 'left tenant' or 'loo tenant', so all English is wrong on that one. Aluminium (not the extra i) is pronounced as the English English write it. Similarly advertisement is spelt in English English with an 's' and is thus not pronounced with a zed (sorry, 'zee').Two nations separated by a common language.
Frankly, the whole English language is an abominable mess, a bastard creole of Saxon, French, Norse, with smatterings of Gaelic and Welsh. It's a linguistic disaster area.
"Linguistic disaster area" — brilliant. The wildest "British-ism" I ever hear was a guy on the BBC referring to a "suck-SUFF-uh-nist," meaning someone who plays the saxophone. Accent on the second syllable? Really?!? Or referring to the French flag as the "trickeler," which I think was supposed to be "tricolor." I love The Beeb!
I like it
I think the song is ordinary..a 5
Jack Johnson called. Sez he wants his lame lyrical style back.
Austin keeps crankin' em out...good stuff
Very nice.
A great metaphor lay within this song.
even on RP, most songs do not feature both banjo AND French horn
if it were not for Bill, I'd never hear this
if it were not for Bill, I'd never hear this
Businessgypsy wrote:
English English pronunciation is pretty perverse, right enough, though lieutenant should be pronounced à la français, not 'left tenant' or 'loo tenant', so all English is wrong on that one. Aluminium (not the extra i) is pronounced as the English English write it. Similarly advertisement is spelt in English English with an 's' and is thus not pronounced with a zed (sorry, 'zee').Two nations separated by a common language.
Frankly, the whole English language is an abominable mess, a bastard creole of Saxon, French, Norse, with smatterings of Gaelic and Welsh. It's a linguistic disaster area.
Granted, but when will you learn to pronounce sked-you-ul and loo-ten-ant (not to mention ah-loo-min-um and AD-ver-tize-ment)?
English English pronunciation is pretty perverse, right enough, though lieutenant should be pronounced à la français, not 'left tenant' or 'loo tenant', so all English is wrong on that one. Aluminium (not the extra i) is pronounced as the English English write it. Similarly advertisement is spelt in English English with an 's' and is thus not pronounced with a zed (sorry, 'zee').Two nations separated by a common language.
Frankly, the whole English language is an abominable mess, a bastard creole of Saxon, French, Norse, with smatterings of Gaelic and Welsh. It's a linguistic disaster area.
fredriley wrote:
A Pedant writes: you may have Nohtre Daym university in the States, but when you're talking about the cathedral in France it's pronounced Notre Darm. Sorry, that sort of thing bugs me. A bit like the district of Theydon Bois in East London, which the Lahndahners insist on pronouncing Thaydon Boyce. Yeesh!
Granted, but when will you learn to pronounce sked-you-ul and loo-ten-ant (not to mention ah-loo-min-um and AD-ver-tize-ment)? Dave_Mack wrote:
Van Halen needs more banjo.
Truer words have never been spoken.
Van Halen needs more banjo.
Truer words have never been spoken.
A bit precious I think.
Hmm... this is my first post. :)
Thank you Paradise Radio for playing this song! I went to Amazon immediately to purchase it— it's one of my favorites now but I like mellow folk-y music anyway.
Thank you Paradise Radio for playing this song! I went to Amazon immediately to purchase it— it's one of my favorites now but I like mellow folk-y music anyway.
fredriley wrote:
YEAH! And that thing with Worcestershire really honks me off!!
A Pedant writes: you may have Nohtre Daym university in the States, but when you're talking about the cathedral in France it's pronounced Notre Darm. Sorry, that sort of thing bugs me. A bit like the district of Theydon Bois in East London, which the Lahndahners insist on pronouncing Thaydon Boyce. Yeesh!
YEAH! And that thing with Worcestershire really honks me off!!
Some Say Leland: is not that bad... i generally like their stuff....
Blandj-o, but I like it anyhow.
This song always makes me want to cry
me too.