Re: Introduction and Þēwthàj Phonology

>From: Henrik Theiling <theiling@...>
>
>Yes, I like ambiguity, too.  Although in my Tyl Sjok, I think I pushed
>it a bit too far, as I mentioned on the list a few times: almost all
>particles are optional and the words are not marked for word class and
>are not inflected, and word order does not mark the nesting of
>clauses/phrases.  So the whole structure of the sentence is ambiguous.
>I now regard it as a proto-language for this reason -- derived
>languages will force a lot more explicit marking.
Such a language is still functional, of course.  Classical Chinese works
like that, more or less.  Between convention and context, languages are
mighty good at disambiguating.  <grin>

Athey

_________________________________________________________________
Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE!
http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/