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Undefining the chemelems
- To: lojban-list@snark.thyrsus.com
- Subject: Undefining the chemelems
- From: cbmvax!uunet!mullian.ee.mu.OZ.AU!nsn
- Date: Tue, 07 May 91 11:27:41 +1000
- Cc: nsn@mullian.ee.mu.oz.au
- Organisation: Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Melbourne
- Smiley-Convention: %^)
Lojbab's recent proposal that words like {navni}, {nikle}, {romgu} be
undefined from their current, somewhat unencouraging meanings (Ne, Ni, Cr)
to more general and tanru'able definitions (shiny metal, glowing gas),
seems to me a good idea. In general gismu definitions should tend to
inclusiveness and generality; this is sorta already done with animals
(recall how urbanites are unfamiliar with fauna: there's no larks or
nightingales for most of us, just small annoyingly chirping birds. The
generalisation of semantics in increasingly seldom-used fields (agricul-
ture for the urbanite), and the corresponding increase in specificity
of growing fields (Compsci?) is worth considering in gismu definition,
and even in systematic le'avla borrowing.
I propose that John Cowan le'avla all the missing elements, and that this
redefinitions and the revised Chemelem list be discussed at Logfest. I
propose that absentee votes be taken, and notice given of this in JL, soon.
I am Nick.