Re: Origin of the word 'kivismi'

Daniel44 wrote:
>Andreas asked about the Uusisuom word 'kivismi' meaning 'communism'.
>
>Well, it comes from the verb 'kivti' to unite ( the word 'kivo' means
>'together').
>
>'Kommunismi' is also possible.
Thanks. Is, BTW, the cluster 'vt' supposed to assimilate in some way? Is
assimilation "wrong"?
>
>As to denoting male/female in Uusisuom, the word 'soika' literally
>translates as 'man' and 'soike' as 'woman'. Therefore, 'kivisoika'
>(kommunisoika) means a male communist and 'kivisoike' (or kommunisoike)
>means a female communist.
>
>The word 'kirsoika' (from the verb 'kirti' - to read) means 'reader'. If
>you
>don't know the specific gender of the reader you stick with this (male)
>form. But if you want to specify that the person reading is female, you use
>the 'soike' ending.
Well, I don't personally have anything against this system, but since some
people I know have claimed that English is inherently sexist on the basis of
similar habits ('he' being the default animate 3rd sg pronoun for instance),
I thought I'd point out that a such system might upset some people. And
upsetting people is, I assume, diametrically opposed to the objectives of
any purpose-made IAL. Introducing a three way distinction (male vs female vs
neuter/unspecified) could perhaps add to Uusisuom's attractiveness to some
people, and I can't imagining it scaring anyone away.

                                                Andreas
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