A GRAMMATICAL SURVEY
I. A Few Phonetic Notes.
As regards phonetics, Jerome’s language shows us the usual characteristic alterations and abbreviations of vulgar speech.
The uncultivated individual instantly and invariably unmasks himself by dropping his »h’s», however he may struggle to avoid it. On the other hand, an h not existing in ordinary pronunciation, is sometimes heard before a vowel, especially in pathetic speech.
Heven money on the Purple Hemperor! (Three Men On The Bummel, 74. 10.)
The lean girl said she had »erd on me». The fat girl remarked genteelly that she too had »heard hof me». with emphasis upon the »hof». (P. Kelver II. 68. 6.)
A man’s wife orter be to ’im a gawdess, a hangel, a — —. (Novel Notes 212. 31.)