On Oct 9, 4:32 pm, "Donald J. HARLOW" <d...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> angell.ja...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
skribis:> I'm interest in learning a language as
near to perfect as possible and
> > from what I've been reading that is either Ido or Lojban. But I
> > cannot find enough information about Ido to be sure if Lojban is
> > better, which it seems it might be. It also seems like it would feel
> > less human. Can anyone help me with this so I don't have to try to
> > learn both???
>
> Before giving a definitive answer to the question, I'd have to ask:
> what's your motivation in wanting to learn a planned language?
>
> If what you're looking for is intellectual exercise, I'd have no qualms
> about recommending Lojban, though you might first want to read the
> exchange between me (an Esperanto speaker) and Lojbanist Matt Arnold
> posted at
>
> http://www.harlows.org/don/opinions/archives/000359.php
>
> If you're looking for a language that you can use practically -- e.g.
> for reading, for writing for others to read, for correspondence, for
> travel -- then among planned languages your only real choice is
> Esperanto. I should add that it seems apparent, advertising
> notwithstanding, that Esperanto is an easier language to learn than Ido
> (which has a more complicated set of phonological stress rules, a
> relatively complicated derivational system, and a much larger *official*
> vocabulary than Esperanto).
>
> You might also want to read my document "How To Build a Language",
> chapter 3 of "The Esperanto Book", to be found at
>
> http://donh.best.vwh.net/Esperanto/EBook/chap03.html
>
> though before diving into the meat of the document you *definitely* want
> to read the warning at the beginning (this goes for any others who,
> favoring some language other than Esperanto, will want to warn you that
> the document is inaccurate and biased).
I want to learn to think is a language that is not mired in the Judeo-
Christian ethos and mores...I also like several of the logical and
connotative features that Lojban is offering. I want to think in a
more clear and crisp way, a way that will filter bullshit that slips
by in natural languages more easily. Lojban seems good for this. I
am, on the whole, kind of a slow person. Except when it comes to two
things: Computers and philosophical discourse. At these things i am
quite brilliant, if I do say so myself, and have been for years.
Perhaps after I learn Lojban I can contribute to the culture by
writing a book on philosophy in it. I find that idea very appealing.
I am in the middle of reading the discussion between you and the guy
on Esperanto right now. I find that the Esperantoists merely defend
it on the grounds that it is a true international language and many
people speak it...well in that case English kick's it's butt. What is
his other defense of it??? Cultural neutrality? Tell that to the
Asians!!! No, his arguments are more negative towards the nascent
Lojban as Esperantoists are obviously threatened by Lojban and Ido now
that their primary use of it as lingua franca has been usurped by
English (and many of them probably learned it growing up from their
parents so actually learning Lojban would be too much effort for them
now). Also I noticed something of the European vs. American Culture
vs. Civilization arguement in his debate against you that in the
internet age didn't need to be there. Obviously, all things being
equal, in time almost all Esperantoist minded people would switch to
Lojban if Lojban really takes off.
Btw, I have noticed that to my Hebriac-anglo ears Lojban sounds
similiar to Chinese...is there are reason for that? And that leads me
to my next query: Is there a comparison of Lojban and Chinese
anywhere, because I understand that Chinese has some of Lojbans
abilities, but is a natural language that is amoung the hardest to
learn (Navijo, which also is quite a logical language I have heard,
being the hardest).
I still wonder at this point, even after picking Lojban, if maybe
there are things from Ido that could be incorporated into
Lojban...probably too late though. And Lojban seems to be the best
all around language in existence from my perspective and from what I
know.
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