Forwarding "MY TWO CENTS WORTH ON TANRU...

[Carl Burke <cbmvax!uunet!mwvm.mitre.org!m16569>]

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*        Carl

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*** Forwarded note from Carl Burke, sent 06/05/90 at 09:55:44...
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Date: Tuesday, 5 Jun 1990 10:04:54 EST
From: m16569@mwvm (Carl Burke)
To:  lojban-list%snark.uu.net@mwunix
SUBJECT: MY TWO CENTS WORTH ON TANRU..."

... in reference to missives from Guy Steele, lojbab, and perhaps others
... on the burning issue of le blanu zdani.

   In reading Guy's note re real-world language usage, there will certainly
be that type of semantic drift; words gather culture-specific connotations
over time which in some cases eventually replace the original meaning of the
word (e.g., 'awful', which (a few hundred years ago) was a complimentary term
meaning 'full of awe', or 'awe-inspiring'.)

   It is important to remember that these connotations (such as blue for sad,
'blue-nest' for religious sanctuary (in 2042), or 'green' for an environmenta
activist) are culture-specific.  Since one of the goals of la lojban is
cultural neutrality, or at least freedom from existing cultural frames, the u
of such cultural semantic borrowings should be avoided.  This does not mean
that you cannot say that you are 'blue' when you really mean sad, but you
should use a le'avla to indicate that usage rather than polluting brand-new
(and perfectly good) gismu with connotations from outside the lojban-speaking
"cultural experience".

A stern finger-wagging and rueful head-shaking having been administered,
I slink back into my lair to await further developments.
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*        Carl