Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Language/2011 June 2

= June 2 =

Where does the word aint originate from
Where does the word aint originate from? Did it originally come from Southern United States? Neptunekh2 (talk) 00:03, 2 June 2011 (UTC)


 * The article redirected to from Ain't has information about this, if you try searching. r ʨ anaɢ (talk) 00:10, 2 June 2011 (UTC)


 * See http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=ain%27t&searchmode=none.
 * —Wavelength (talk) 00:27, 2 June 2011 (UTC)

Handwritten hiragana (Japanese)
Hi.

1. At http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cFQ1qzbjgw the presenter writes そ with a detached upper stroke, unlike this, for example, where it is attached. In handwriting, which style (if either) is preferable?

2. In the same video, the presenter writes ふ with a detached upper stroke. Compare with the versions at http://imageshack.us/f/692/fubupu.jpg/ where the upper stroke is attached. In handwriting, which style (if either) is preferable?

3. In the same video, the presenter writes さ with an attached hook at the bottom. I believe I was told here previously that this style is less usual than the style at, for example, http://www.guidetojapanese.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/sa.png, where the hook is detached. Is the presenter maybe just writing quickly and meant for the hook to be detached but 'accidentally' joined it to the downstroke?

Thanks, 86.160.216.165 (talk) 22:21, 2 June 2011 (UTC).


 * As in the handwriting of any language, the style which is most preferable is the style which the writer feels most comfortable using. --  KägeTorä - (影虎)  ( TALK )  16:21, 3 June 2011 (UTC)


 * Thanks, but that's not really what I meant. In any script, someone might feel most comfortable using an odd, old-fashioned or otherwise inadvisable style that one wouldn't want students to emulate. Which of the above styles would it be best for a Japanese learner to adopt, or does it not matter? 86.160.217.252 (talk) 17:41, 3 June 2011 (UTC)


 * These strokes are theoretically unconnected but end up connected when the pen is not completely lifted from the page. It's the same as in any other script—I tend to connect the strokes of an uppercase E, for example. It's entirely acceptable as long as it's not so sloppy that it's difficult to read. All of the characters in File:Kanji-handwritten.png are readable and attractive enough, though the ones on the right are perhaps pushing it. It's probably better to learn the unconnected strokes and then practice to the point that they become naturally cursive. -- BenRG (talk) 01:44, 4 June 2011 (UTC)
 * Nothing wrong with the man's hand-writing. In fact. I write そ like his writing. If you like his style, you can adopt it. But it might be better to detach the hook of さ. Originally characters were written by brushes and there are styles like regular script, semi-cursive script, and cursive script (East Asia). See and . Oda Mari (talk) 16:38, 4 June 2011 (UTC)