medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
John Dillon <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> I always use the definite article with "Auvergne" as I do with the names of
many French territories large and small (e.g., "the Nimois", "the Uzege")
except when I'm referring specifically to a modern _departement_ (so generally
"the Herault" but as the _departement_ just "Herault").
because "the departement of the..." is understood, perhaps?
however, "The Yonne" --for the *departement*, not just the river.
and "The Eure-et-Loir".
and "The [Seine-et-]Oise"
but just "Yvelines".
> Why not "the Normandy"? Don't know, but English does have a tendency to
omit the definite article with territorial toponyms ending in "-(e)y" (e.g.,
"Brittany", "Lombardy", "Tuscany").
right, maybe there is a Rhyme to the Reason, but it also seems like it's just
a matter of how it "sounds" on the ear.
though they definitely have the wrong idea about sexing every damned thing
that exists, there's something to be said for the French practice of just
adding the article before *every* noun, no matter what, and not having to all
the time figure out what's "right".
if the U.S. Federal Government regulated such things, the present Congress
could just have the appropriate lobbyists write Legislation which would give
us the benefit of Definitive, Fixed Rules.
other than that, it's just a matter of having to play it by ear, i suppose.
c
"Lots of useless other data points just enlarge the consciousness of the
agrieved showing how particular the pain is."
--Burma Shave
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