Re: Creating a metaconlang; anyone want to join?

On Dec 1, 2007 9:21 AM, Jim Henry <jimhenry1973@...> wrote:
> English does use tone, though not phonemically as
> "tonal" languages do.  I suspect using suprasegmental
> tone as your extra channel will make English sound
> not just
>
> > * be anywhere from almost undetectable to unobtrusive (on the level of
> > an odd mannerism / speech impediment)
>
> but _really weird_.
If it were really pronounced on every word, then yeah.

But if it were used sparsely, I'd think it wouldn't be so obvious.

> Relatively quiet clicks, and
> subtle alterations of facial expression, gesture,
> and posture are probably better things to explore.
*nod*

> > I see (b) as the most interesting variant, though (c) could also be useful...
>
> I agree.  Evidentiality, validationality, distinction of
> exclusivity for we/us/our and number for you/your;
> perhaps number marking for nouns that are
> invariant in English (deer, sheep, fish)...
> Things like that could be useful.
Agreed.

It would also be interesting to add a layer of modifying or even
contradicting the base meaning, so e.g. you could say "Meet my
friend3, Bob" ~= "Meet my backstabbing colleague who I pander to
'cause he's dangerous, Bob". ;)

- Sai

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