Re: way-OT: regularity of german v. english [was: Re: OT - Programming Languages w/o English Syntax]
On Fri, 2003-10-24 at 16:21, Tom wrote:
> On Fri, Oct 24, 2003 at 10:54:26PM +0200, David Jardine wrote:
> > On Fri, Oct 24, 2003 at 12:11:49PM -0700, Erik Steffl wrote:
> > >
> > > english is like lego, yes there are some pieces that change shape
> > > etc. but it consists mostly of bricks and brick like pieces. german (and
> > > lot of other languages) is more like putty - you mold things together.
> > > the lego-like structure of english makes it easier to create a computer
> > > language...
> > >
> >
> > But what the hell is English about the syntax of, for example,
> >
> > if(isRed(the_fork)) ?
> >
> > It sounds more like Italian to me.
> >
>
> I think the "the" is throwing you:
>
> I would say isRed(fork) contains an implied [it] and [a]:
>
> [it] | is | fork
> -----|----|----------
> | | \ \
> \a \red
>
> fork is a "predicate noun", red is an adjective
>
> But fork.isRed would be:
>
> fork | is \ red
> -----|-----\----
> |
>
> fork is the subject, red is "a predicate adjective"
>
> i'm just guessing, haven't diagrammed sentences since 6th grade
>
> I don't even think they teach this anymore
I didn't learn that exact method, but did learn what I guess you'd
call "sentence decomposition". It fundamental to being able to
comprehend complex sentences.
--
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Ron Johnson, Jr. ron.l.johnson@cox.net
Jefferson, LA USA
YODA: Code! Yes. A programmer's strength flows from code
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when code you write. If once you start down the dark path,
forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will.
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