From:
       Stephanie Ortega <[log in to unmask]>

12:11
------------------


Richard,

there's a lot i blame on medieval monks, but am
glad to hear from you that i don't have to add
this gender thing to the list (i knew only of
some dillies they, the monks, had perpetrated on
german to buff it up, make it a bit "smarter" like latin).

so it's a loan from the greeks via the romans.
but i'm still left to wonder why the greeks chose
exactly these terms for the categories --and, say,
very much enjoyed the masc./fem. or neither case
explanation you sent.

do you happen to know about the project of systemizing
language into Genders?  how were the criteria rationalized?
(seem to have a foggy recollection of some lecture
umpteen years back by Edgar Polome on the "originary"
understanding of these categories in indo-germanic;
my dull memory constructs notions around energy, kinesis,
potential, categories that one might easily align w/
the biological, with sexual dichotomy.  or did i kinda
doze and make this one up?

i'd be thankful for a quick and dirty explanation.  i'be
worried about this off and on a long time.  it can wait
if you're still grading.

many thanks,
Stephanie Ortega --down the road a piece in austin