Re: thlIngan Hol and T-Shirt

On Tue, 26 Sep 2000, daniel andreasson wrote:

>> The standard answer is that Klingon is spoken by aliens. Their vocal
>> equipment need not resemble humans.
>
>That seems like a pretty lame argument. They seem to have the
>same distinctions as we humans do: the same places and ways of
>articulation. Judging from the phoneme inventory, the Klingons
>have the same vocal equipment as humans. If they can make a labial
>{b} and {p}, and a dental {t}, then why not a {d}? If a retroflex
>fric <S> and a labial stop {p}, then why couldn't they pronounce
>a labial voiceless fricative {f}?
>
>The inconcistencies cannot be explained by saying that they _can't_
>pronounce those phonemes. They just _don't_, and that makes the
>system more inconsistent than one would think possible, even for
>an alien language.
>
>Well, no more ranting. No offence intended. All just IMHO.
Right. Rant: So bloody what!? Just because they can do a thing doesn't
mean they will do that thing! They're NOT HUMAN!!!!!!! Why do you
expect them to use language in the same way? Just because it's humans
in latex makeup? Given the fact that it's _humans_ that invented the
culture, the language and all the concepts of an alien culture _for
the express purpose of entertaining a broad spectrum audience_; I
think they did a pretty damned good job. Until any one of us can craft
a perfect constructed language - one that will pass for a natural
language; I think we should drop this unneccesary and unwaranted and
certainly unconstructive criticism of another's work.  Especially
since the creator of Klingon isn't here on list to discuss, defend or
otherwise plead guilty.

>I still think Klingon is a nice and well developed conlang
>which serves its purpose excellently. What I wrote above is of
>course invalid in conlanging terms. A conlang can - and should! -
>look however you like.
Thank you for ameliorating the above.

Padraic.

>Daniel