Re: THEORY: Browsing at Borders Public Library

edheil@postmark.net writes:
>When I don't have any cash but have a few hours to kill, I like to go
>sit down at my local Border's Bookstore and browse, and often I'll sit
>down and read the better part of a book.
Oh you do that also? I love our local Borders, they have nice comfy chairs
or simple wooden benches one can sit down in and read books. The people at
the store do not mind at all and it's something I like doing when I have
time to kill. On weekends it can be quite full of people.
>
>I found a fascinating book called _The Origins of Complex Language,_
>which presents the theory that syntactic structure, as it exists in
>human languages, exists as an analogue of syllable structure.
Hmm I may have to watch out for that book. I havent been to Borders in
ages! Sounds interesting.

__________________________8><-----------------------------------------
<<Snip!>>

>
>Anyway, she uses these kinds of definitions to:
>
>1. Analyze the subtle differences in the definitions for the words
>for "friend" in several different languages (including "Mate" in
>Australian English),
>
>2. Analyze the subtle differences in the words for "Homeland" in
>German, Russian, and Polish,
>
>3. Pick out the "cultural keywords" of Australian English, among
>which are "Mate," "bloody," and "bastard,"
>
>4. Pick out the "cultural keywords" of Japanese, among which are
>"amae," "wa," "on," and several I forget, including ones that are
>often translated as "reserve," "empathy," and "spirituality."
>
>It's fascinating, and I can't imagine a conlanger that wouldn't love
>it.  (Again, I am not sure I'd buy Wierzbecka's "primitive vocabulary"
>as the be-all and end-all of semantic theory, but it sure accomplishes
>the task she invented it for well.)
>
>So here's the conlanger challenge:
>
>What are some of your concultures' "Keywords"?
I'm not sure if I follow what you mean (its 2:39 am as I write this!). Do
you mean words that are frequently used or that have some sort of cultural
significance?



_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

Time was I stood where thou dost now
And view'd the dead as thou dost me
Ere long you'll lie as low as I
And others stand and gaze at thee