How did "th" become "d"? In other words, where did "dis" and "dat" come from?
Why particularly a "d"? That's a peculiar choice of letter, isn't it?
61-69, M
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newjaninev2 · 56-60, F
Around 900 years ago two Germanic tribes - the Angles and the Saxons - occupied England. They spoke Old German, which used the 'd' (as does modern German). After the French invaded (the Norman Conquest), German and French co-existed for a long time... eventually merging into English, with 'd' mutating into 'th' (that's why the 'th' sound is unique to English).
It's quite amusing that those using 'd' instead of 'th' aren't being fashionable - they're being old-fashioned
It's quite amusing that those using 'd' instead of 'th' aren't being fashionable - they're being old-fashioned
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newjaninev2 · 56-60, F
@KebleBollyJocksford Keep in mind, I'm addressing sounds, not spelling.
Further, we'd need to drift off into discussion of voiced vs unvoiced dental fricactives - let's not.
My point, addressing your question, is that the use of 'd' instead of 'th' isn't an innovation - it's a reversion.
Further, we'd need to drift off into discussion of voiced vs unvoiced dental fricactives - let's not.
My point, addressing your question, is that the use of 'd' instead of 'th' isn't an innovation - it's a reversion.