Tell me more ×
English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 5 down vote favorite
1

English uses how much/many to ask for an amount or a quantity. Has there been an interrogative word in Old, Middle, or Modern English to convey the meaning of how much/many (i.e., an equivalent to the Spanish cuánto or the French combien)?

share|improve this question
I don't get it, 'how much' doesn't work? Or do you mean a -single- word? Does it have to be an etymologically 'wh-' word too? – Mitch Dec 13 '11 at 15:44
This question is derived from one that I asked in Spanish Language and Usage. I'm just curious about the lack or a single-word quantity interrogative in English. I know that how much and how many presently serve the same purpose as the Spanish cuánto. – Jaime Soto Dec 13 '11 at 15:52

2 Answers

up vote 3 down vote accepted

I'm no expert, but I think the Old English word hwæt had a broad range of meaning and applicability, which did actually include how much.

share|improve this answer
1  
As George Walkden reminds us, ‘hwæt’ is best known for being the first word of ‘Beowulf’, where it is normally understood to be used simply to attract listeners’ attention: ‘lo!’ ‘behold!’. The suggestion that it means ‘How much (we have heard of the might of the nation-kings of the Spear-Danes)’ is ingenious, but even if it can bear that interpretation, it’s a big leap to claim it as an Old English interrogative, similar to modern Spanish ‘cuánto?’ or modern French ‘combien?’ – Barrie England Nov 25 '11 at 9:11
I didn't read the whole of Walkden's paper that I linked to (it's a bit too technical for me), but he does actually give "how much" as one potential paraphrasing. I seem to recall that all English "wh- words" derive from a single generic "interrogative", so mostly likely it's as @Mahnax says - either there isn't an equivalent to combien, or it's hwæt. – FumbleFingers Nov 25 '11 at 14:26
up vote 1 down vote

I know that you want English; but other than FumbleFingers' answer, I don't think there is one. Latin uses quantus for how much.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.