Shan't is a contraction of shall not; it should properly be spelled as sha'n't. As easily can be seen, the two ls and the o are dropped. Why not shalln't? Even so, it is closer to the root words than won't, which is a contraction for will not; and which, following the same rule as shan't, should be spelled win't. "Eat your spinach"! "No, I will not"! "No, I willn't"! "No, I win't"! The English language appears to be lacking in consistency. Emerson once referred to foolish consistency as the hobgoblin of little minds. He didn't say when consistency stops being sensible and becomes foolish. We have rules; and we have exceptions that TEST (not prove) the rule. I don't see how this applies to rules of grammar. Suffice it to say that "English" is rife with inconsistencies and may be said to be the richer for it. Although why saying "aren't I" instead of "amn't I" makes for a richer language; I can't say. Richard Emlin Reed Wesley Chapel, FL ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lynn Vondran" <lynnvondran@att.net> To: <padutch-life@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2007 4:34 PM Subject: Re: [PD-LIFE] AMN'T I > No you shan't. Oooooo, now there's one I haven't heard since I don't > remember when!!! How does one spell shan't? Is that the correct > spelling, and is it a real word? I know friends and I have used it > sometime in our lives. It was around the time we used those > parent-dreaded questions, "Ain't not?" , "Ain't that right?" and "You > know?" :o) > "are I" sounds like a pirate, don't you know :o) or is it "I are" they > say :o) > I aren't going to say another word, because I are being very silly right > now :o) > Hmmm, maybe I'll run it passed the kids tomorrow, when they come for their > get-together. I'll just say, "Well, now, I are going to heat up the food; > I aren't going to be gone long." See what they say. I'll try to keep a > straight face, but don't know that I will be able to :o) > Lynn > > Richard Emlin Reed wrote: > Well then, Lynn, I take it I didn't convert you. I'd bet I didn't convince > anyone. Well I aren't going to stew about it, are I. > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > PADUTCH-LIFE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Talk about the inconsistencies in the English language... try teaching English to nationals in other countries!! Then you quickly realize what a confusing language we speak!! I've taught ESL for many years and STILL find more inconsistencies from time to time... And then try adding all the differences between British English and 'American' (which is what we speak, according to the Brits!! NOT English!!) I'll be leaving on Tuesday to teach English in Ukraine... it is fun, but can be a complicated language!! Jean ----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard Emlin Reed" <remlinr@tampabay.rr.com> To: <padutch-life@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2007 6:28 PM Subject: Re: [PD-LIFE] AMN'T I > Shan't is a contraction of shall not; it should properly be spelled as > sha'n't. As easily can be seen, the two ls and the o are dropped. Why not > shalln't? Even so, it is closer to the root words than won't, which is a > contraction for will not; and which, following the same rule as shan't, > should be spelled win't. "Eat your spinach"! "No, I will not"! "No, I > willn't"! "No, I win't"! The English language appears to be lacking in > consistency. > Emerson once referred to foolish consistency as the hobgoblin of little > minds. He didn't say when consistency stops being sensible and becomes > foolish. > We have rules; and we have exceptions that TEST (not prove) the rule. I > don't see how this applies to rules of grammar. Suffice it to say that > "English" is rife with inconsistencies and may be said to be the richer > for > it. Although why saying "aren't I" instead of "amn't I" makes for a richer > language; I can't say. > > Richard Emlin Reed > Wesley Chapel, FL > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Lynn Vondran" <lynnvondran@att.net> > To: <padutch-life@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2007 4:34 PM > Subject: Re: [PD-LIFE] AMN'T I > > >> No you shan't. Oooooo, now there's one I haven't heard since I don't >> remember when!!! How does one spell shan't? Is that the correct >> spelling, and is it a real word? I know friends and I have used it >> sometime in our lives. It was around the time we used those >> parent-dreaded questions, "Ain't not?" , "Ain't that right?" and "You >> know?" :o) >> "are I" sounds like a pirate, don't you know :o) or is it "I are" they >> say :o) >> I aren't going to say another word, because I are being very silly right >> now :o) >> Hmmm, maybe I'll run it passed the kids tomorrow, when they come for >> their >> get-together. I'll just say, "Well, now, I are going to heat up the >> food; >> I aren't going to be gone long." See what they say. I'll try to keep a >> straight face, but don't know that I will be able to :o) >> Lynn >> >> Richard Emlin Reed wrote: >> Well then, Lynn, I take it I didn't convert you. I'd bet I didn't >> convince >> anyone. Well I aren't going to stew about it, are I. >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> PADUTCH-LIFE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > PADUTCH-LIFE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

WOW!!!!! Have a wonderful trip, and I'm sure you will be an inspiration to many!!! Such excitment! :o) Lynn Jean wrote: I'll be leaving on Tuesday to teach English in Ukraine... it is fun, but can be a complicated language!!

--- Lynn wrote: > WOW!!!!! Have a wonderful trip, and I'm sure you will be an > inspiration to many!!! Such excitment! > Jean wrote: > I'll be leaving on Tuesday to teach English in Ukraine... it is fun, > but can be a complicated language!! ************************** Jean, Will you still be able to post to the list while you are away? Don't forget about us, and let us know how things are going. Safe Journey! tracy ____________________________________________________________________________________ Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Yahoo! Travel. http://travel.yahoo.com/