Re: [Conlangs-Conf] Show-off pamphlets?

On Sun, 5 Feb 2006 Sai Emrys wrote: [Conlangs-Conf] Show-off pamphlets?
>
> One idea that came up in talking to David Peterson (and others) was to
> include some forum by which attendees (and *maybe* non-attendees too?)
> could wax prideful and show off their languages.
>
> My concern as organizer is to ensure the *intent* of the original "no
> prostelyzation/pimping" ban is fulfilled. That is, I do not want to
> have or condone any flamewars of the sort that divided CONLANG and
> AUXLANG; nor to have too much online time taken by material that is
> not really usable / applicable to anyone except the speaker, or the
> speaker's particular "school". (I liken talking about one's own
> languages to mothers talking about their babies. Perhaps you can see a
> certain resemblance...)
>
> That being said, we still do take a certain interest in each
> others' progeny.
>
> So, I'd like suggestions on a potential way to address this.
>
> Potentials so far are, e.g.:
> * a pamphlet included in the registration pack which is basically a
> collection of 1-2 pages per person, filled however desired, by
> attendees; these would be used to "show off" their languages or other
> projects. (I'm thinking something like a customized version of the
> Omniglot language pages - highlighting what's special, unique, or
> otherwise cool about your particular language.) This would be
> cross-referenced with the participant / attendee list in the main
> pamphlet, so that you could hunt down the creator yourself over free
> time (breaks, lunch, etc) and get them to talk some more about their
> obviously awesome language.
Good idea!  The pamphlet is in the registration
pack, right?  How do you get to share these
'introductions' among the attendees so they're
useful in time for follow-up in person?  Suggest
you include some set questions eg 'Translate the
Babel text' or at least 'Hallo! Take me to your
leader' ...  Could you get the replies into a
database and on CD or available at a wiki on the
net?  Could people fill in a form at a wiki on
the net, rather than your paper one?  (Selfish
thought: then we conlangers who travel at less
than warp speed, so can't get there in time,
could also tune in.)


> This would avoid boredom factor in that you are not obligated to show
> interest in (or spend time on) a language that does not appeal to you,
> but would also put more burden on the creators / fans to do such
> discussion on their own time.
>
> * Some sort of discussion panel / sharing time in the conference
> itself, at which (and *only* at which) the aforementioned ban would be
> lifted. Anyone present would be welcome to speak for a few minutes
> about their language(s), field questions about them, etc, and
> collaborate with others developing similar languages. This part could
> potentially be broken off into separate groups - e.g. artlangers,
> auxlangers, etc. - to ensure that they are at least trying to achieve
> similar goals and therefore their languages are more likely to
> cross-fertilize.
If you get to run for two days, why not workshop
some new languages?  Let people offer to moderate
a particular style of language, get attendees to
sign up for three choices of particular workshop,
run those that make from 4 to 8 participants, most
popular first (may need more rooms).  Do this on
Day 2, so people have a chance to understand and
consider their choices.  Co-developers could then
exchange email addresses for follow-up if desired.


> Some difficulties with this would be giving everyone enough time to
> describe their languages cogently while still fitting the session into
> a reasonable timeslot; avoiding the sorts of disagreements that come
> when presenting a concept to a group of people that does not
> necessarily share your goals; etc.
>
> * ...?
>
> We are likely to already have a panel discussing conlang art & craft
> in a more general / meta / theoretical sense; what I'm asking here is
> specifically how to include *particular* languages, in a way that is
> both useful and defuses the potential... conflict and/or boredom.
>
> Suggestions? Comments?
>
>  - Sai
>
BTW, Sai, I watched some of your first video.
It was enjoyable and I will go back for more.
Two things: please get the volume level up a
bit higher!  And will you be taping the conf?

OT: One of our three dogs is a total empath,
as is my wife.  If she doesn't like what she's
hearing, she can't look at the person who's
sending the bad vibes.  Self-protection.


Regards,
Yahya