Re: Andrew 'fesses to a webpage update!

[John Cowan <cowan@locke.ccil.org>]

Andrew Smith wrote:

> 1. nn clusters have been simplified to n.  There is no change in
> pronunciation, just spelling.

Okay!  Was this a change *within* the Brithenig Universe, or *to* it?
In other words, did King G. promulgate a spelling reform in late
1998, or did Andrew get a new and improved interdimensional
viewing machine?

> I have never managed to successfully grok the differences between
> present participles and gerunds though.

Easy.  If it's functioning as an adjective, it's a participle.
If it's functioning as a noun it's a gerund.  Latin had different
but similar forms (gerund in -nd with 2nd declension endings,
participle in "ns/nt-" with 3rd declension endings) for these.

> Where the -nt- ending survives in
> Brithenig it is usually used as a noun or an adjective.

IOW the Brithenig present participle, like the English one, functions
as both.  No problem.  In Middle Scots, though, the true participle
(adjective) ended in "-and" vs. the gerund (noun) in "-ing".  This
may survive in Scots over *there*. 

-- 
John Cowan	http://www.ccil.org/~cowan		cowan@ccil.org
	You tollerday donsk?  N.  You tolkatiff scowegian?  Nn.
	You spigotty anglease?  Nnn.  You phonio saxo?  Nnnn.
		Clear all so!  'Tis a Jute.... (Finnegans Wake 16.5)