Re: deseret conlangcon '99!

On Mon, 19 Jul 1999, Adam Parrish wrote:

> On Mon, 19 Jul 1999, Fabian wrote:
>
> > >         Hello, everyone.  Since both Dirk Elzinga and I are in the
> > Utah
> > > area simultaneously (at least, temporarily) we've decided to hold a
> > > conlangcon here in the Salt Lake valley.  It'll be on the 31st of July
> > > at about 6:00 pm at the Pie pizzaria near the University of Utah
> > campus.
> >
> > Interesting. In Rightpondia, it's a boink, in Leftpondia, it's a con. Is
> > this difference Pondian, or am I reading too much into it?
> >
>
>         You're probably reading too much into it.  I dunno, though.
> This is the first {con,boink} I've ever been involved with, so I'm not
> privy to the details of the exact nomenclature.  I do know, however,
> that a "conlang boink" would probably not be looked upon favorably by
> Utahns, mostly because of the connotations that the word "boink" carries
> here. :)
Indeed. As I understand it, the usage 'con' harks to the science fiction
conventions which are held all over the place and often have cute names
ending in -Con. This usage was adopted by social conlangers who try to
organize gatherings of like-minded people for an evening of refreshment
and conversation, and maybe even the creation of a grammatical sketch.
At least that's what Adam and I are planning.

So if you're anywhere in the area, feel free to come!

Dirk

--
Dirk Elzinga
dirk.elzinga@m.cc.utah.edu                   "All grammars leak."
http://www.u.arizona.edu/~elzinga/                 -Edward Sapir