Jose Carillo's English Forum
English Grammar and Usage Problems => Use and Misuse => Topic started by: maudionisio on September 05, 2009, 11:23:39 PM
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Let me share some observations in the teaching of English:
Elementary pupils are taught that plural words in English end with an “s.” However, pupils get confused when teachers add that “man” and “woman” and other basic words are the exception.
The plural of “man” is “men” and “woman” is “women.” Why is that so? pupils ask. The teachers give no reason. They can't explain that odd rule of English grammar.
Pupils should be taught that English is a Germanic language. However, it gradually evolved through the help of French, one of the Romance languages. The use of “s” to form a plural word is a French characteristic that English had adopted.
However, some basic words like “man” and “woman” have retained their Germanic characteristics. The plural of “ox” is “oxen” and “brother” is “brethren.“ Other English words do not end in “s” when in their plural form.
The interaction with French and its Latin parent had gradually estranged (another word of Franch origin) English from its Germanic family and evolved to what it is today.
Take the English word “submarine.” It comes from the Latin words for "underwater" (sub and marine). English did not use the more descriptive “underwater boat.” In German, a submarine is an unterseeboot. It means “underwater boat.”
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...However, some basic words like “man” and “woman” have retained their Germanic characteristics. The plural of “ox” is “oxen” and “brother” is “brethren.“...
It is?
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Looks like that's correct, Max. Here's what my digital Merriam-Webster's 11th Collegiate Dictionary says:
Main Entry: brethren
Date:before 12th century
plural of BROTHER — used chiefly in formal or solemn address or in referring to the members of a profession, society, or sect
Of course, the usual plural of "brother" in its usual context of "a male who has the same parents as another" is "brothers."
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Exactly. The only place you will hear "brethren" in Australia is in church!