Re: CHAT: t-shirt

>> From: Leo Caesius
>>
>>    I would be more than willing to contribute something meaningful from
>> Bala-i-balan.  Even though I am not the inventor of this language (the
>> inventor was an Islamic schismatic by the name of Muheddin) and
>> it was never
>> very "successful" (even by the ridiculous standards with which
>> people judge
>> IAL success), Bala-i-balan is an excellent candidate for several
>> compelling
>> reasons:
>>     A) dating from the 16th century, it is one of the oldest conlangs, if
>> not the OLDEST _true_ conlang (as A. Bausani would have it).
>>     B) It is one of a handful of conlangs which were not developed within
>> the orbit of "western civilization."  Its lexicon is derived from Persian,
>> Turkish, and Arabic, its grammar is modelled on Turkish grammar,
>> and it uses
>> Arabic syntax; hence it would, IMNSHO, add much needed diversity to the
>> stock of dead white men's playthings which dominate the conlang industry.
>>     C) From an aesthetic point of view, Bala-i-balan is
>> "different" - it is
>> written using the Arabic script.  I think that this aspect alone will make
>> it somewhat eye-catching.
What is the book title and author? (The one at Dumbarton Oaks, that
is.)

Padraic.