Re: Aesthetics

Interesting! I think if a lang has "inner truth" (discuss) it can't fail to
be both realistic and beautiful, in that order. What I think I mean is that
the harmony - and necessary discord - that comes from realism will itself
lend beauty to the project, irrespective of whether the language is
"flowery" or not. Tolkien claimed, and I think with some honesty, that his
languages (exemplified by Quenya) were actually not "red-blooded" enough to
act as full-blown real world tongues. I like a bit of discord now and again!
Like Mozart, it all seems very nice and 'perfect' but now and then there's a
slip into a minor key which lends interest and variety to the creation. Real
languages get worn down and "imperfected", i.e., made human.
Just been watching the footy (sniff!) and noted the amazing Georgian names
in the Georgia v Scotland game (sniff for the Scots, but at least England
played well and lost!)
I've done quite a lot of study into phi/psi (solutions of the Golden section
equation) and would love to know how to introduce it into a conlang! It's
meant to turn up in all sorts of situations, but in fact probably doesn't.
Examples I've come across include the Parthenon, Beethoven's 5th, and War &
Peace. It's probably there in Harry Potter if you look hard enough.
Can't help agreeing on your comments re Greek and Latin. Greek always seems
to hold so much promise until you get to the morphology. Too many vowel
clusters, but like Latin it has "memories" at least for me.
My lang is becoming irregular, even as it evolves. Has anyone else noticed
this happening? Personally I think it's great. A sure sign that your lang
has a life of its own, so yours truly is the proud father of two children
and a language!
Mike

> LEF

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