Re: Constructive linguistics

From:    Sai Emrys <saizai@...>
> So: why not propose a serious study of "constructive linguistics" (as
> opposed to, e.g. "descriptive linguistics" of the language-savers, and
> "prescriptive linguistics" of the grammarians)?
I think there are both pragmatic and theoretical problems with this
idea.  First the theory.  It's not clear exactly what the study of
conlanging would contribute to the understanding of human languages.
Natural languages are *far* more complex and intricate than any
conlang has ever been.  Obviously, I don't think that should stop
people from creating conlangs, but I am not sanguine about the
potential of coming up with something that would not immediately
reveal itself to be artificial.  Humans are too good at creating
consistent generalizations, and when, rather than being handed a
complex morass of conflicting generalizations in a real language
environment, one is creating the whole language ab ovo, it's simply
too easy to make the language brutally consistent.  (Of course,
some conlangers *want* consistency, which is their right.) Thus,
conlangs are more likely to reveal facts about people's attitudes
towards language than facts about language as such.

Pragmatically, the problem is that it's really hard to get funding
to research conlangs, and they don't easily fit into any of the
humanities very well.  What programs do exist are funded mostly
by IALers like the Esperantists who often have motives other than
art behind conlanging.  (Also fine, but most conlangs aren't IALs.)

If "constructive" or "creative" linguists has any place in academia,
it would be from some kind of cross-disciplinary literary angle.
Afterall, our patron saint is studied this way. :) (No, not Hildegard.)

-----------------------------------------------------------
Chris wrote:
>  I wouldn't turn it into a whole degree though because:
> a) Anyone with such a degree would find it difficult to apply
> in the job market and
Well, linguistics as it stands right now isn't terribly marketable.

> b) I doubt any university would be willing to support such a
> degree.
I've become accustomed to too many crazy things said by academics
to have strong opinions on this matter. :)

> A 10 credit module would be good though. :)
What's a "10 credit module"?

 =========================================================================
Thomas Wier	       "I find it useful to meet my subjects personally,
Dept. of Linguistics    because our secret police don't get it right
University of Chicago   half the time." -- octogenarian Sheikh Zayed of
1010 E. 59th Street     Abu Dhabi, to a French reporter.
Chicago, IL 60637

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