David:
As a person outside the academic world, I don't have access to the
books that you reference. I am only able to respond to what I observed
in this discussion.
Now concerning אני vs. אנכי, is there a usage variance that is
observable? For example, do speakers use אנכי usually when they speak
as a subordinate to a superior, whereas אני as a superior to an
inferior? If so, then we have an example of politeness. If not, then
look for other patterns. Whoever does the study will have to do a
careful analysis of the contexts of hundreds of occurrences of both
אני and אנכי to come to an answer. Looking at other languages will
only result in a lot of hot air. Such a study would make a good
research topic for a master's degree.
I think such a study should be done before comparisons with other
languages, not after as it appears from the discussion.
Has such a study been done? What were its results? Is it available to
the general public?
Yours, Karl W. Randolph.
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