Language in the Us

Assignement:

Ex 3 p.49:

For each part of the following examples, state whether the regularization is due to the four-part analogy or leveling:

1- This class is even badder than the last one.

Here, we would normally use the word “worse” but the regular way to make a comparison is to add the –er so we use the regular pattern. => 4-part analogy.

2- Joe helped hisself to more mashed potatoes.

Here, we can see that we’re picking up a form that already exists (myself, yourself) and we apply it to all others. => Leveling.

3- He just don’t understand me.

Here, we can see that we’re picking up a form that already exists (I do, you do) and we apply it to all others. => Leveling.

4- Kate brung me a present.

Here, we can see a reshaping of irregular forms on the model of minor pattern analogy. The verb “bring” has been reshaped to fit the pattern of verbs such as “sing/sang/sung” or “ring/rang/rung’. => 4-part analogy (minority pattern analogy).

5- The deers ate all of our vegetables in the garden.

Here, we would normally spell it “dears” but the regular way to put a noun to a plural form is to add an –s to its original form so we use the general pattern. => 4-part analogy.

6- She weren’t there yesterday.

Here, we can see that we’re picking up a form that already exists (you were, we were) and we apply it to all others. => Leveling.

7- That’s the beautifulest cat I’ve ever seen.

Here, we would normally use the words “most beautiful” ” but the regular way to make a superlative is to add the –est so we use the regular pattern. => 4-part analogy.