Constructed languages

[anduril462]

Just wondering if any of you read/write/speak any conlangs (Esperanto, Lojban, Elvish, Klingon, etc). I've always had an interest in languages and have learned (and unlearned due to lack of use) several languages over the years. I think I was interested in the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis as a kid, long before I knew it was a real thing that had a name.

I'm leaning toward Lojban since the predicate logic grammar sounds interesting, the regular structure should make it easy-ish to learn, and it's relatively widely used for a conlang. If any of you have recommendations, and can give me some good reasons why you like/chose that language, I would love to hear it. Also, any good resources you have for said languages would be much appreciated.

[std10093]

Recommendations of constructed languages, or normal languages, e.g. Spanish?

[phantomotap]

O_o

I have a poster somewhere or the other with "Do not learn Lojban!" written in Lojban with Tengwar script.

^_^;

That said, I'd say learn a real language which may provide additional sources for your other interests.

For example, I've worked at learning Japanese because of my interest in "light novels"/manga/similar, and I've also tried learning German because many of the science articles I like to read still get published way sooner in German.

Soma

[anduril462]

@std10093:
I meant recommendations of constructed language.

@phantomotap:
I speak French pretty well, am so-so with American Sign Language (which I'm still working on), and growing up in California, I know a bit of Spanish. I've dabbled in German and Mandarin too. There's literally a dozen (or more) human languages I'd like to learn some day, but I realize I'll never get through them all and for now, I'm not actually interested in more human languages. I don't think I currently have a hobby that would benefit greatly from another human language; though I'm sure any of my hobbies would benefit, the degree is questionable. Rather my hobby right now is languages themselves, and I've never toyed with any conlangs, so I'm looking to do that.

I like the poster though.

[phantomotap]

O_o

In that case, I'd say the question comes down to whether or not you fancy flavor or precision.

Flavor = Quenya/Sindarin
Precision = Esperanto/Lojban

*shrug*

Or take a level in badass: learn the meta-game! How were these languages constructed?

Soma

[anduril462]

In that case, I'd say the question comes down to whether or not you fancy flavor or precision.

Flavor = Quenya/Sindarin
Precision = Esperanto/Lojban

Not really sure what you mean by "flavor" there. Something along the poetic/artistic line, perhaps? Either way, why did you pick those specific languages for "flavor" and "precision" categories. Why not, Klingon or Toki Pona, or Laadan or Interlingua? I was not aware that Esperanto was a particularly precise language -- if by "precise" you mean "unambiguous" like in Lojban.

Or take a level in badass: learn the meta-game! How were these languages constructed?

Perhaps some day. I don't want to be too constrained by preconceptions I have from the Latin and Germanic (via English) background I have. A bit more exposure to different languages with vastly different grammars and structures, and breaking back into my linguistics books for some more formal background, may need to happen first.

[phantomotap]

I was not aware that Esperanto was a particularly precise language -- if by "precise" you mean "unambiguous" like in Lojban.

O_o

I'm referring to the way the languages are, how the people I know, use vocabulary/grammar to express ideas.

You, at least the people I know, will speak Quenya/Sindarin with more symbolism/metaphor/allegory/whatever than is as normal with Esperanto/Lojban.

[Edit]
As for the other languages, I simply know less about those other languages.
[/Edit]

[Edit]
Obviously, a big part of this is how the language came to exist.
[/Edit]

Soma

[whiteflags]

The only one I had heard of until now was esperanto. That and there was that one song from Aria that had been written and performed in it. It's pretty.

[gemera]

I think I was interested in the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis as a kid, long before I knew it was a real thing that had a name.

The head of the zen buddhist temple holds an orange in one hand and his zen stick in the other.

Temple head: "What is this?", he says, pointing to the orange.

Student: "err... an orange?"

Temple head: "Fool, imbecile".

And thwack! thwack! thwack! goes the stick across the students legs.


Next year - same scenario.

Temple head: "What is this?"

Student: "err... fruit?"

Temple head: "Fool,imbecile,idiot!"

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Slap! Punch!


And so it goes on year after year until before the head is a student who has understood something.

Temple head: "What is this?"

Student: "I don't know!"


Temple head, narrowing his eyes,:"hmmmph you understood something...."

At this point the student turns to go with a self-satisfied grin only to be met with:

Thwack! Thwack Thwack!

Temple head:"... but not enough."

Slap! Punch! Thwack!


And so it goes on year after year until the student is before the head again.

Temple head: "what is this?".

Student: "It's an orange."

Temple head: "Good, you are ready to leave the temple or alternatively take over my tedious duties here."