Convergent Evolution

A discussion of the peculiarities of languages and the differences between them.
brogine
Lexiterian
Posts: 232
Joined: Sun Feb 11, 2007 4:41 pm

Convergent Evolution

Postby brogine » Mon Dec 28, 2020 6:53 pm

The use of ‘pronto’ in America certainly comes from Spanish heard in the southwest, yet the word was in use earlier in Britain (in a musical context), and borrowed from Italian!
Know any other examples of convergent evolution?

Speaking of language in the Old West, I always associated ‘newfangled’ with that period in a Gabby Hayes kinda way. Turns out it was used in Britain as early as the late 15th century.

User avatar
Slava
Great Grand Panjandrum
Posts: 8039
Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 9:31 am
Location: Finger Lakes, NY

Re: Convergent Evolution

Postby Slava » Mon Dec 28, 2020 8:30 pm

Not sure I have anything to say about convergent evolution, but here's our good Dr.'s take on newfangled, from back in 2012.
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.

brogine
Lexiterian
Posts: 232
Joined: Sun Feb 11, 2007 4:41 pm

Re: Convergent Evolution

Postby brogine » Mon Dec 28, 2020 10:09 pm

Thinking back to the ‘Old West’, it would appear that ‘savvy’ is another example, in use in England at least as early as 1686.


Return to “Languages of the World”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 12 guests