| Kommentar | I think that Archfarchnad-gb- has hit the nail on the head, so to speak. Yes, I am Scottish and "amn't" is quite common up here in negative questions of the "I am, amn't I?" type. You also hear it, but less frequently, in statements such as "I amn't coming on Friday" (= I'm not coming..).
In my defence, I *DID* say that you don't see in print very often!. I think that this must be another example of differing Scottish/English usage, such as exists with shall/will, ought/should, do/please, etc.
As far as "aren't I" is considered, I think the only appropriate response I can make is "Well, I am a silly billy, aren't I". Again, in my defence I said that "For some reason, however, ..." Now I know what that reason is - it's pukka English! But how one gets from "Am I not" to "Aren't I" must remains one of life's great mysteries.
Och, A'll just hae to awa back intae ma kilt, fondle ma sporran an' chew ma haggis! |
|---|