In a message dated 3/1/2002 8:31:48 PM Central Standard Time, cowan@ccil.org writes:The meaning of "abu" outside MEX is distinct from its meaning inside And how do we tell which is which? If {vei ny le mlatu} means "n cats" why doesn't {ny le mlatu} mean "n the cats" with "n" standing standing for some number rather than Nelly? <I don't see how, except for the use of quotes around "n" in the literal translation, which is intended not to create a quotation, but just for readability, as in "Mind your 'p's and 'q's" (which is not about letters, whatever it does mean).> Not reaassuring, since "I don't see what's wrong" might very well be true. Quotes don't make for readability -- some folk use them for emphasis (to other folks great hilarity as they read them as scare quotes). What you have said is that the letter en is a value and so. BTW "Mind your 'p's and 'q's" is exactly about letters: the two are easily confused in many people's handwriting and when use to keep tally of one's drinking of a day, errors -- mistaking quarts for pints -- can be of considerable consequence. So, pay attention to details. <I don't see any use-mention problem here either.> Same one. |