LOJBAN: error report from CS.YALE.EDU

[BITNET list server at CUVMB (1.8a) <LISTSERV@CUVMB.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU>]

The enclosed mail file, found in the  LOJBAN reader and shown under the spoolid
7624  in the  console log,  has been  identified as  a possible  delivery error
notice for the following reason: mail origin is listed in "Filter=" list header
keyword (or its default value for LOJBAN).

------------------------- Message in error (67 lines) -------------------------
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Date: Fri, 9 Dec 1994 04:19:31 -0500
From: Mail Delivery Subsystem <Postmaster@CS.YALE.EDU>
Full-Name: Mail Delivery Subsystem
To: <@yalevm.ycc.yale.edu:LOJBAN@CUVMB.BITNET>
Subject: Returned mail: Remote protocol error
Message-Id: <199412090919.AA14649@eli.CS.YALE.EDU>

   ----- Transcript of session follows -----
While talking to SYSTEMSZ-GW.CS.YALE.EDU:
>>> MAIL From:<@CS.YALE.EDU,@yalevm.ycc.YALE.EDU:LOJBAN@CUVMB.BITNET>
<<< 554 database 'l' has not been defined
>>> QUIT
<<< 554 database 'l' has not been defined
554 'rauch@nebula... Remote protocol error

   ----- Recipients of this delivery -----
Bounced, cannot deliver:
   'rauch@nebula
Sent successfully:
   <rauch@CS.YALE.EDU>
   rauch-erik

   ----- Unsent message follows -----
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Date:         Thu, 8 Dec 1994 12:54:24 EST
Reply-To: jorge@PHYAST.PITT.EDU
Sender: Lojban list <LOJBAN%CUVMB.bitnet@yalevm.ycc.yale.edu>
From: Jorge Llambias <jorge@PHYAST.PITT.EDU>
Subject:      Re: plural
X-To:         lojban@cuvmb.cc.columbia.edu
To: Erik Rauch <rauch@CS.YALE.EDU>

> >English forces us to distinguish between singular and plural.
> >
> >Lojban forces us to distinguish between individual and group.
>
> The point is that in Lojban it is optional to make such a distinction.
> You CAN use the "individual" article on a "group", and you CAN use the
> "group" word on an individual.

How do you say "the men carried the piano" in Lojban WITHOUT making
the individual/group distinction?

> The fact that you see no reason to do so
> is a product of your thinking, not of the inherent nature of the
> language.

I don't see how can you avoid using one or the other. For a given
broda, {le broda} refers to individual broda while {lei broda} refers
to a group/mass of them. You could use {lei broda} for a single broda,
but if there are more than one you have to be explicit whether you are
referring to them individually or as a group.

Jorge