Re: (1) I'm Back!!! (2) Thank You All!! (3) I Need Your Help!

En réponse à "David J. Peterson" <ThatBlueCat@...>:

> Hi Everyone!
>
> It's been awhile, but I'm back.   This is David Peterson (formerly
> digitalscream@aol.com).
Welcome back!

>
> Some time last semester I decided to apply to grad. school in
> linguistics.
> I applied to UC Santa Barbara and UC San Diego, and was accepted to
> both, and
> now have accepted UCSD, so I'm headed there in the fall.
Congratulations!

   To say that
> being
> on the conlang list helped me out with linguistics, I think, is a
> gross
> understatement.   I really don't think I'd be where I am now without
> the
> conlang list, and I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of
> my
> heart.   Or, to say it in the only language of mine I know how to,
> poor
> Megdevi, my large but ill-conceived, poorly constructed first language,
> ?oj
> TaNaki ZojijIm.
>
I suppose a "you're welcome" is the reply here :) .

> Last, some exciting news.   Regarding UCSD, I receieved an e-mail four
> or
> five days ago from a professor there who wants to start up a <get ready
> for
> this> Conlang class.
Blong! <falls from the chair from surprise> ;)))

   (Beyond my wildest dreams...!)   What's more, he
> wants
> me to suggest topics of study and assignments, and to help him teach
> it.
Lucky you!!! Congratulations!!!

> Unfortunately, the application for the grant he's writing is due in a
> little
> more than a week, so I need to hurry.   I have tons and tons of ideas
> (and,
> yes, I'm including conculture), but I'd love to hear any ideas anyone
> has.
> I'll read them all and keep them in mind as I'm writing up my
> recommendation.
>   Among the things I'd especially like to hear about:
>
> 1.) Are there any books we could use?   I can think of parts of many
> books
> that'd be helpful to photocopy, but there's no real conlang textbook
> (yet).
>
Well, the Conlang Journal should be ready when you begin the class (with a
little luck, the second issue will even be on its way). I'm currently busy with
the METAFONTtutorial. As soon as I have finished its first lesson and put it
online (I'm currently writing the introduction), I'll finish the Conlang
Journal. It should be ready for Conlang Day (OK, one year too late :((( . Sorry
everyone, it has been a hectic year :((( ).

> 2.) It looks good to the guys giving the grants if we can use
> technology--especially web-based technology.   Unfortunately, I'm
> extremely
> untalented in this area.   Can you suggest any technology (preferably
> free...?) that we could use, any web-based resources (I know a few, but
> I'd
> like a big list), and is there anyway to create web-based programs?
Of course, with Java for instance. But what you're asking is pretty
complicated. You'll probably be interested in the METAFONTtutorial that I'm
currently writing, and in the LaTeX-for-Conlangers group I created, to discuss
the use of LaTeX and METAFONT for everyone but especially for conlangers
(address: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/latex-for-conlangers).

I strongly recommend that you learn LaTeX and METAFONT. Those tools are perfect
for conlangers' needs, and they are free for every platform imaginable. OK,
books on METAFONT are lacking, but my METAFONTtutorial is on its way :)) .

>
> Have a pleasant day   :)
>
Thanks! You too!

Christophe.

http://rainbow.conlang.free.fr

It takes a straight mind to create a twisted conlang.