Re: Lunatic Survey

[Sally Caves]
> THE SURVEY:
>         1)  To what extent is your conlang an "intensely peersonal"
> pursuit--one that you don't often reveal to people other than conlangers?
>
        When I began conlanging, I didn't hide myself from other people. I
did that when I had nothing else to do, so I did it even in class, when I
had finished my work. At that time, I was already considered as "bizarre",
so it didn't shock many people in my class. Then it didn't become secret,
but I spoke about it only when people spoke of languages. I remember that I
had started learning one of my conlang to a friend of mine, but we didn't
continue as I abandoned the project. My parents aren't aware of my
conlanging (they think that when I do things that have nothing to do with my
studies, I'm losing my time!), but most of my friends are. They must think
that I'm a bit odd, but I don't care!

>         2)  If so, to what extent do you feel that the listserv "Conlang"
> has given you a _raison d'etre_ for
>                 a) pursuing your invented language
>                 b) making it public?
>
        For both! I already wanted to continue inventing languages, but with
the discovery of the mailing list "Conlang", I've finally met people with
the same "odd" hobby as mine, and it helped me to improve my conlanging.

>         3)  How many of you, in mentioning your conlang to an
> acquaintance, received a belittling reply?  Condescension?  Disapproval?
>
        No condescension, but ununderstanding. They couldn't understand why
I found so amusing and interesting to create my own languages. Others even
thought that it was impossible!

>         4)  How many of you are:
>                 c) out of school altogether and supporting yourselves?
>
        No, I'm still in school. I'm only 22.

>         4a) What is your profession, or your desired profession?
>
        Well, I'm pursuing an engineering course, but my real will is to
become a novelist.

>         5)  How many of you have invented a language because
>                 a) you are solely interested in language experiments
>                    and linguistics?
>                         i) for personal experiments...
>                 b) you are interested in world-building
>                         i) for fiction
>                         ii) for role-playing and other social activities
>                         iii) just for your own amusement?
>
        I think each answer is more or less good in my case. I like making
language experiments, then sometimes I use the languages for fictions, but
everything I do, I do it for my own amusement first.

>         5) How many of you take the time to learn another's conlang?
>
        I hardly find enough time to develop my conlangs, but I'd like to
learn another's conlang. I'm interested in many conlangs, I'll try to learn
them when I have time.

>         6) How many of you are women?
>
        Last time I saw myself in the mirror, I was a man!

>         8) Which of you would give me permission to (or object to) my
> mentioning your conlang and webpage (if any) at a convention, in an
> academic article?  I'll protect names if so desired [as though this is
> writing pornography!-- now there's something]
>
        Just do as you want! I would be very proud if you mentioned my conlangs.

>         9) For how many of you is "exoticness" in your invented language
> and absolute must?  How many of you pursue more familiar models... and
> why to both?
>
        "Exoticness" is very difficult to define. What I find exotic may be
normal for another language's speaker. Generally my conlangs are a merging
of "exotic" features and "normal" ones. I choose different features for each
language.

>         9)  FINALLY: what is the appeal of an invented language for you?
> Wherein is its "sexiness"?  Its spirituality?  its sensuality?  What keeps
> you at it?  How does it benefit you?  Does it harm you?  heal you?
>
        What a question! I never thought about it. I don't really know. I
find conlanging as natural as breathing. So, is it serious, doctor?

                                                Christophe Grandsire
                                                |Sela Jemufan Atlinan C.G.

homepage: http://www.bde.espci.fr/homepage/Christophe.Grandsire/index.html