Re: A DISTURBING proposal! (was Re: Personal langs and converse ofaux)

> Date:         Tue, 6 Feb 2001 17:38:44 -0800
> From: "SMITH,MARCUS ANTHONY" <smithma@...>
> I would add another reason this experiment is doomed to failure. I find it
> highly improbable that the conlang will be developed to a high enough
> degree to allow for casual, constant conversation. And even if it does get
> to that point, the experiment would require that all members of the
> household speak the conlang, otherwise it is unlikely that the children
> will pick up on much of it. Only a single person using the language will
> not be using it naturally, eg, asking and answering questions, using words
> other than very basic ones, etc.
I don't know. There was the recent case of the guy who tried to teach
his son Klingon by speaking it to him exclusively. AFAIR, the kid
learned a fair amount, but when he was four or five he cottoned on to
the fact that no other kids in the world spoke the language --- so he
told his father that he didn't want to play along any more.

(That father had to extend the language a fair bit himself, IIRC ---
the official version doesn't have words for 'go potty' and 'drink your
milk, don't play with it').

Lars Mathiesen (U of Copenhagen CS Dep) <thorinn@...> (Humour NOT marked)