10 commandments from CONLANG Digest - 21 Mar 2003 to 22 Mar 2003 (#2003-82)

First of all, this is neat.  I really like the whole concept of
translating religious ideas into conlangs.  But, then, I'm one of those
that likes to think of language and culture together.
I thought it was interesting that you thought being truthful included
not committing adultery or stealing.  There are plenty of cultures where
that would not be the case.  I remember a culture in South America, if I
recall, where adultery as we think of it in the Western world is the
norm.  So, no one "lies" about it, per se.  In fact, *jealousy* was a
rather significant social crime.  (Hmm, maybe that falls under
"coveting". ^_^)
Has anyone given any thought to other social taboos?  What would qualify
as an insult in your conlang?  (i.e. The Alien Nation "Your mother mates
out of season"? or something similar?)  How are social taboos discussed?

Neat stuff!
Thanks,
Jim

> Date:    Sat, 22 Mar 2003 12:12:09 -0500
> From:    Shreyas Sampat <ssampat@...>
> Subject: Re: 10 commandments
>
> The Seinundjei-reinterpreted Commandments: (in ascii-friendly
> orthography)
> There are only seven because three got subsumed under 6 and I ignored
> the Sabbath one.
>
> 1.
> Siin  Dhueg thaane.
> One   God   be-1s
> /si:n Dujg  Ta:ne/
> I am the One God.
>
> 2.
> Uun  thaane  Dhueg leinkinisj.
> NEG  be-1s   God   idol
> /u:n Ta:.ne Dujg   le:N.kinis`/
> God is not in an idol.
>
> 3.
> Uensj       velehar  Nein  Hayath zjullo   thiinjesj.
> NEG-FUT-IRR walk-3s  I-GEN Name   dirt-VOC path-EPH-ESS
> /ujn`s`     velehar  ne:n  hajaT  z`ul.lo  Ti:nes`/
> My Name will not be spoken vulgarly. (idiomatic)
>
> 4.
> Leines  Dhaatje Maatjes    thaach fisjpenu.
> your-pl father  mother-COM be-3p  honourable
> /le:nes Da:t`e  ma:t`es    Ta:S   fis`penu/
> Your Father and Mother are to be honoured.
>
> 5.
> Uun  baadi    dheinnjesein.
> NEG  kill-IMP tongue-EPH-ACCpl
> /u:n ba:di    De:n`.n`ese:n/
> Do not kill a speaking being.
>
> 6.
> Inhak thae   solof.
> PROG  be-ACC true
> /iJak Taj   solof/
> Be continually truthful.
>
> 7.
> Inhak theisi     lei     lein.
> PROG  purify-ACC you-NOM you-ACC
> /iJak Te:si le: le:n/
> Be continually pure. :: Continually purify yourself.
>
>
> Note: in indirect discourse, several of thee take different forms:
>
> Iinu theirre ulujhul uunhensj kiinja nein hayath veleh zjullo thiinensj.
> "The sparrow said that its name will not be spoken vulgarly."
>
> ---
> Shreyas Sampat
>
> ------------------------------