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From:David Peterson <digitalscream@...>
Date:Friday, August 3, 2001, 20:28
    Sorry I'm posting this to this list, but for some reason, I was booted
from the group, somehow, so I can't post messages to the website.

    I absolutely LOVE the Tian text!  I only have one little quabble that the
writer in me has to point out:

<<1. When Tian was old and near death, he then sent out his followers,
> telling them not to follow him any more, but instead to spread his > word amongst the peoples of the world. At that time the world was of > one language and one method of speech, and Tian knew this, and smiled.>>
In that very first sentence, "telling them not to follow him anymore" can be worded better, I think (especially since it's also implying that he's telling them to stop listening to him completely [or was that intended?]). How about "asking them to cease their attentions". Actually, I think that phrase can be left out completely... Because if they're going to spread his word, they have to continue to "follow him", in a metaphorical sense. Unless you meant literally follow him around, as people did Jesus and Socrates. But I got the impression that he was old and bed-ridden. How about "When Tian was old and near death, he sent out his followers to spread his word amongst the peoples of the world"? -David