2007-05-12 07:58:34 · 6 answers · asked by Ivan L 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
In my view because it is a substitute for a proper noun; a person's name.
2007-05-12 08:28:26 · answer #1 · answered by creole lady 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology explains it this way:
"Modern and Middle English I developed from earlier i in the stressed position. I came to be written with a capital letter thereby making it a distinct word and avoiding misreading handwritten manuscripts. In the northern and midland dialects of England the capitalized form I appeared about 1250. "
http://www.alt-usage-english.org/excerpts/fxwhyisi.html
I am not certain, but the practice of capitalizing "O" when it appears alone (as in "Hear me, O Lord!"), while not capitalizing "oh", may have originated the same way.
2007-05-12 15:12:41 · answer #2 · answered by bruhaha 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cos it is a substitute for a proper noun ..... "I" replaces your name which you would spell with a capital letter!
2007-05-16 14:07:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Tom make it a separated word and distinguish it from other words in cursive writing.
http://alt-usage-english.org/excerpts/fxwhyisi.html
2007-05-12 15:07:39 · answer #4 · answered by yotg 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as I suppose it is treated as a noun being the name for oneself.xxx
2007-05-14 13:56:56 · answer #5 · answered by tennantsbiatchsokeepurmittsoff! 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
We're all egoists at heart.
2007-05-13 05:08:34 · answer #6 · answered by cymry3jones 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋