Re: CHAT: Conlang and Writers

John Cowan wrote:

> Sally Caves scripsit:
>
> > Unfortunately
> > > M.A.R. Barker, the creator of Tsolyani, who is also local, didn't make
> > > it to the convention that year.
> >
> > Yes, this has to be Minneapolis!  He's a professor as well, isn't he?Does
> > anybody know of what?
>
> Urdu studies.
>
> I spoke to him as a kid when I attended a DipCon (I forget the number)
> held there.  A hell of a fascinating fellow, and fervent believer in
> the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis.
I can imagine!  So I'm sure he's perfectly aware of the effects of his language
thatI describe below.I've been looking at Terry Donnelly's summation of
Tsolyani  (beautiful lacy script),but while I like Barker's development of new
"gender" categories (noble, ignoble, and non-
classifiable), I can't say I like their application:  basimkoi, "man" (noble);
humedhikh
"woman" (ignoble)!  Terry says it's rigidly patriarchal and hierarchical, and
then adds
somewhat humorously ("why don't more women study it, don't you think"?)

Well... I can see inventing a language that recreates all the errors of the
world--my
own Teonaht turned its "gendered" articles--male and female--into determiners
of
agency--volitional and non-volitional respectively.  Artlangs don't have to
redress
and improve upon the social problems of real cultures (as some of us perceive
them!).
But I wonder if Tsolyani was intended mostly for male players of the Empire of
the
Petal Throne, or if that's just the premise of the language and the world of
Tekumel,
or a reflection of Barker's own contact with Urdu and Pakistan (I'm assuming
that's
where he's from? or his parents?  Muhammed etc. Barker--long name)?  Is Terry
right in saying that few women learn this language and participate in Tekumel?

This thread seems to be the "feminine corner"!

Sally Caves