Re: LUNATIC again

>On Tue, 10 Nov 1998, Mathias M. Lassailly wrote:
>
>> Charles wrote :
>>
>> > I think this all supports the (in-?)famous Sapir-Whorf hypothesis
>> > that a language shapes (does not just express) thoughts.
>> > I thought that was the intent of Lojban, to explore different
>> > ways of thinking, rather than claiming to be the One True Faith.
>
>> Well, Charles, my post may have been too vehement - as always.
>
>I was unclear; I agree with what your wrote, and think it ironic
>that a lang meant to be "experimental" is now being claimed by
>"logbob" as the one true non-code wonderful etc language.
 And where did I make any such claim?

Lojban is just another conlang among several trying to gain speakers for
different reasons, usually to serve as auxlangs. Thius distinguishes us from artlangs
that are not meant to acquire a speaker base, but in no way does
that make us the "one true" ANYTHING.

And as I have admitted, for me, Lojban is still an elaborate code in that I
translate everything from English, though the translation may be approximate
enough that most people would not call it "code".

>If Sapir-Whorf is true, there can be no such thing, which contradicts
>"logbob"'s thesis; if it is false, Lojban makes no sense at all.
I don't see that the former claim is  true.  Lojban has a purpose to test the
SWH.  That purpose remains valid even if the SWH is false, because then we
find evidence as to how and maybe why it is false.  I myself am ambivalent
as to whether SWH is true, and at least one other leader of the group thinks
SWH is false.

lojbab
----
lojbab                                                lojbab@access.digex.net
Bob LeChevalier, President, The Logical Language Group, Inc.
2904 Beau Lane, Fairfax VA 22031-1303 USA                        703-385-0273
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    or see Lojban WWW Server: href="http://xiron.pc.helsinki.fi/lojban/"
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