>Date: Wed, 1 Jul 1998 19:15:58 -0400 >From: K E Robblee <[email protected]> >Subject: RE: Passenger Lists >At 9:26 AM -0400 6/30/98, Roblee, Phil wrote: >>To our resident Linguist, Karen Robblee... >>do you have any comments on Lynda's message? >> >>Phil Roblee > >Phil, This is a tough question. Based on the consonants, the "Rapelje" >theory seems more plausible. It would be much more likely for "p" to be >replaced by "b(b)" than for "dg" to be replaced by "b(b)". > >(Only one thing needs to happen for the sound "p" to change to "b": the >vocal cords need to start vibrating. But at least two things need to >happen for "dg" to change to "b". First the cluster would need to >simplify to one or the other sound ["d(d)" or "g(g)"], and then the place >of articulation needs to change. [Either the "d" produced with the front >of the tongue or the "g" produced using the back of the tongue would be >replaced by a "b" which is produced using one's lips.]) > >But "Rapelje" does not account for the vowel in the first syllable. Since >we see variation between "o" and "u" in the forms "Rob(b)lee" and >"Rub(b)lee", I am inclined to think that there must have been a rounded >vowel in the first syllable. "a"-like vowels tend not to be rounded, and >are less likely than "o" to be replaced by "u". > >From a purely linguistic point of view, I like Bob's theory that the >family name is derived from "Robbilliard". From what I understand, in >the 17th century the French probably would not have pronounced the word >final "rd". > >The rounded French "o" might also account for the variation between "o" >and "u". In addition, since the "i" after the "bb" was not stressed, it >could easily have dropped out through a type of contraction. > >But I wouldn't rule out the other possibilities. I agree with Lynda's >suggestion that orthography can be significant. If the "B" was written in >a way that looked like "dg" it could have replaced it. > >(I hope this wasn't more "linguistic" information than you wanted!) > >Karen >