12th January 2005, 10:10 PM
Unfortunatly, I never really did any research on etymology of the language.
So, all I can say is that there is no logical reason for a lot of grammar, it's just what we got stuck with from common usage. The only reason that can actually be given would be historical, not really logical. For example, there is no good reason for knight to be spelled like that, logically. However, since it's been passed down and is the standard spelling, that is the correct way to spell it. That's the thing about grammar and spelling, what's correct depends entirely on what is accepted by the majority as correct.
So, as to the history of the word "I", I can't say, but I can only say it's no less logical to spell it like that than the majority of the words we say.
So, all I can say is that there is no logical reason for a lot of grammar, it's just what we got stuck with from common usage. The only reason that can actually be given would be historical, not really logical. For example, there is no good reason for knight to be spelled like that, logically. However, since it's been passed down and is the standard spelling, that is the correct way to spell it. That's the thing about grammar and spelling, what's correct depends entirely on what is accepted by the majority as correct.
So, as to the history of the word "I", I can't say, but I can only say it's no less logical to spell it like that than the majority of the words we say.
"On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." ~ Charles Babbage (1791-1871)