Re: CHAT: EU allumettes (was: Re: THEORY/CHAT: Talmy, Jackendoff and Matchboxes

On Sat, 01 May 2004 16:10:25 -0400, Trebor Jung <treborjung@...> wrote:

> For vocabulary, a computer program could be designed to pick random words
> from a list. So for example, there would be a list of all EU languages'
> words for 'dog', and the program randomly selects one of the words.
> (We'll
> have to decide on a phonology too... Syllables should be (C)V(C),
> IMO--Slavic consonant clusters are very difficult to pronounce.)
>
> For grammar, what's needed is a sort of basic "EU grammar"--a list of
> concepts, rules, etc. that many European languages have.
>
> This'll take a huge amount of work... we'll need to recruit lots of
> polyglots, and get a list of basic concepts (the ULD maybe?) for
> translation. And linguists could design an optimal grammar.
>
> Anyone interested in maybe trying this?
Why not take the example of Latine Sine Flexione to its natural conclusion
and create a kind of "PIE Senë Flexionë"? PIE avoids syllable-initial
consonant clusters (with the exception of the TK^ class, but then you all
know my feelings in that area), has a very small set of syllable-final
clusters, has a small and simple vowel system, and could easily be
converted to be as isolating as the majority of European languages.

I might think about making a language that is as close as possible to PIE
in lexicon, but as close as possible to the majority languages of greater
Europe in grammar. Look out for posts in the pieconlang group. Oh, and if
I show even a trace of idealism and ideology about it, feel free to slap
me silly.




Paul