Re: Help desiging a minimal conlang?

tal>>>>>>
* Paul.Bennett@xncorp.com (Paul.Bennett@xncorp.com) [991129 11:25]:
> Sally>>>>>>
> Paul Bennett wrote:
> >
> > Years (literally) ago, there was a group effort towards making a 20-word
> > isolating language for Birds.
>
> Really?  I thought that was only months ago!
> <<<<<<
>
> By a relatively simple deductive process, [it had] to be after
> January 1998.  I'd say that means it was nearer one year ago.
>
> Tal?  How big is the larkhive these days?
Coverage is currently July 1998 to June 1999.
<<<<<<

Shinting Flub!  It was as recently as June this year.  Please forgive me, Sally!
<G>

Here I present ((very) small fanfare) the original Edward de Bono article (from
Science Journal) that caused Richard Kennaway to start a thread that caused Jim
Henry to start a thread that caused me to start this particular thread.

In around 1971, Edward de Bono wrote:
> Suppose your vocabulary was to be limited to 20 unalterable words.
> These words would have to suffice for ordinary day to day living, not for
> technological communication.  They could not be supplemented by facial
> expression, tone, gesture, or sign language.  Nor is picture material
> allowed but simple indicative pointing is allowed.
> The words do not have to exist at present.  You can invent anywords
> with which you would like to communicate particular meanings.The words
> could be used separately or in any sequential manner.  What are your 20?


Things that were covered last time this topic came up include:

The ways to slice semantic space for various lifeforms / lifestyles
The amazing extensiblifying quality of auxilliaries (particularly "not")
A fairly complete sketch of Old Hyksos
RPN as a conlang grammar, and "what do you do about adverbs?" -- I may have
another attempt at this, actually...
A semi-hoax(?) attempt from Jim Henry, entitled: "ri ri ri ri ri ri ri ri ri ri
ri ri ri ri ri ri ri ri ri ri ma su"
Nik Taylor encouraging people to invent new technical terms!
The Gladilatian mathematical system (yikes!)
Nik, John C and Charles in a heated agreement about unambiguous mathematical
notations.
Bird phonology (apico-rostral trills and the like)
"Whatever happened to aUI"?
http://www.ebtx.com/lang/eminfrm.htm
http://members.xoom.com/saevus/ssatat.htm







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