Greetings
In answer to David Summers original question and Richard Smith's
comprehensive reply regarding the yan, tan, tethera counting systems and
his belief of where lies the origin, the attached html file is a
comparison of several language systems. (I've done it as an html because
its more easily shown as a table).
I'll admit to wanting more proof than the similarity with Welsh that
Richard drew in his reply. My reaction was "what about the Vikings" who
were prevelant in the North of England, and whether they had anything to
do with the yan tan tethera system. And the table attached says to my
satisfaction that they didn't. Apparently Norse is very much like
Icelandic.
[ Section: 1/1 File: counting.html UUencoded by: Turnpike Version 3.05 ]
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`
end
sum -r/size 30643/4334 section (from "begin" to "end")
sum -r/size 16939/3123 entire input file
A brief explanation of the two Celtic roots if you need it. The
languages developed in two forms from the original roots - the Scots
Gaelic, Irish Gaelic and Manx (not featured, couldn't find a suitable
website) are of the Goidelic branch and the Welsh, Breton and Cornish
(Kernewek) are of the Brithonic branch of Celtic. This can be
interpreted as two invasions of Celts from different places.
I would further Richard's argument that the Yorkshire counting system is
most like the Brithonic Celtic, a distant relative of the Goidelic and
not at all like the Norse.
One thing did puzzle me, and that is the repetition of the fifteen
rather than the ten (16,17,18,19 etc.) Could this be that they were
counting on fingers of one hand? in other words, 1 2 3 4 5 on one hand
(raise the other thumb) 6 7 8 9 10 (raise the index finger) 11 12 13 14
15 (raise the next finger) 16 etc. which would give the 'bumpit'
repetition.
Unless, of course, anyone has a better explanation.
Regards
John Colby
P.S. If you have difficulty getting the table from the mailing list I'll
send it direct if you tell me, and if anyone wants more references mail
me.
--
John Colby
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