Re: thlIngan Hol and T-Shirt

Padraic Brown wrote:

> 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'm sorry I made you so upset. I knew I shouldn't have sent the last
two sentences. I just meant that the argument "Their vocal equipment
need not resemble humans" isn't totally valid because they _can_ produce
those sounds, even though they don't. Other than that, I completely agree
with everything you say. Of course I don't expect them to use language
in the same way we do. I didn't say I thought Klingon was a bad conlang.
There are no bad conlangs, the same way that there are no bad natlangs.

I don't know that much about Klingon, but I do know they have a really
cool pronoun system, which I was on the verge of copying for a conlang
sketch of mine.

What I mean: Klingon's phoneme inventory looks a little strange from
a human _natlang_ perspective, but all those points are invalid
because it is an alien conlang. And I'm sure there are just as unusual
phoneme inventories in human natlangs as well. I'm sorry. I should
have made myself more clear from the beginning.

> > 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.
You're welcome. :)

On a side note: I like Nicole's way of ending the discussion as to
Klingon's being on the t-shirt or not. Simple, effective and decisive.
Very funny to end it with one sentence. And within brackets as well! :)

And even though it's already settled: czHANg's t-shirt suggestion gets
my vote too. It's excellent!

Daniel