Re: the i-language

Daniel wrote:
>In Swedish (and probably most European languages) there is a
>game called _i-språket_ or rather _i-sprikit_ 'the i-language',
>when you change all the vowels to /i/. Thee riseelt is finny,
>bit yee still indeersteend ivrything thit is sid.
>
>So the question is, would this work in all languages? Even in
>ini/nine? Would it work in languages with only CV-syllables?
>
When I was in Paris a very long time ago, my French was so bad that I took
to hanging out in a bar frequented by Spanish/Latin american students.  They
had at least two songs where this sort of change was used, except it went
through ALL the vowels.  One song began "Cuando Fernando séptimo...." second
time through
Cuanda Farnanda sáptama...., then Cuende Fernende..., Cuindi Firnindi
síptimi..., Cuondo Fornondo soptomo, Cuundu Furnundu suptumu.  The other,
which I think was slightly naughty, had a refrain, "agárremelo, por favor"
then thru the various vowels.   Much hilarity, and earnest pseudo-debate as
to the humor, connotations etc. of each variant.

I can imagine that something similar might work in Indonesian, though I've
never heard of it.  I don't think I've ever encountered it in english, but
then I don't hang out much in student bars anymore :-))