OFF : Re: Word Construction for a New Conlang

Dans un courrier dat=E9 du 08/07/99 06:30:17  , Nik a =E9crit :

>  with occasions when I decide to modify the phonology, at which
>  point I may have to revise my lexicon, altering words with
>  newly-illegalized syllables, or changing random words to newly-legalized
>  syllables.
interestingly, most if not all of us seem sticking to "laws" they
choose themselves for syntax, phonology or semantics.
as Didier told me once : "my conlang comes out by itself but i=20
tidy it up cause i want to stay the master".
are these self-imposed rules a necessary fuel to creativity or
are they checks and balances containing it ?
some of us start it up by making laws, some with random words
and sentence, some both.
i never felt i made these laws to mimick natlangs. quite to the
contrary. i feel i made some of them in the beginning to make it
sure i was not relexing natlangs just as if i wanted to be different
through my language. now i don't care anymore about relex and
difference. conscious laws give the feeling that a conlang could
be a 'real' one, but without the ennui of real ones.
like children's games and toys are for. you want a red toy car.
you don't care about the blue one. when you're adult you buy
a red car. but conlangers build it. then realize blue is ok
and anyway they've got plenty of paint of all colours available.
now check the engine : "wow ! didn't know 't was so complex !
how could i make it work better ?". then check the body :
"look at this profile ! how can i correct it ?". etc.

mathias