Conlang and Auxlang List Information

adapted from a March 23, 1997 post by David Durand

This is some information on the CONLANG and AUXLANG lists, to one of which you either are subscribed, or are considering subscribing.

SHORT CONLANG DESCRIPTION

The CONLANG list is devoted to the discussion of "constructed" or "artifical" languages for general communication. It is essentially concerned with creative linbguistics and not such formal languages such as programming languages or mathematical notation, except as they may relate to a proposal for a mthod of communication. Since many constructed languages have a fictional background, this description is complicated by not being anle to use possibly descriptive terms such as "human language" which would be descriptive, if it were not prejudicial to the Alien conlangs.

The reasons for constructing languages cover a wide range of reasons, from proposals to enhance international communication, to the creation of more logical languages to enhance thinking or specialized forms of communication, to exploring linguistic theory through model-building, as background for fictional creation, as art for art's sake, and just for fun.

SHORT AUXLANG DESCRIPTION, AND WHY THERE ARE TWO LISTS

The AUXLANG list is devoted to discussions of the merits and practicality of particular International Auxiliary Languages -- languages intended to enhance international communication. Since this topic inspires great devotion and frequently also inspires high volumes of debate about the merits and drawbacks of particular languages like Esperanto, the discussion especially of the political, and strategic questions of IALs has been moved to AUXLANG. Auxiliary languages are not banned from the more general discussion on CONLANG, but the discussion's significance should extend beyond the IAL community. For example, a discussion of ergative case marking applied to Esperanto might be interesting to the general community -- a lengthy discussion of the merits and disadvantages of having case markings in an IAL would not be.

FLAMING

As current listowner for both lists, I would appreciate it if everyone remembers to control their passions and keep discussion polite. Vigorous intellectual argument is sufficient strife for a mailing list -- if you find yourself at the point in an argument where only a dissection of your opponent's character seems like it will do, take it to private email, or wait until your opponent settles down and again posts an argument that is rational enough for you to demolish.

People enjoy following debates, but not cat-fights. With almost 100 people on AUXLANG and almost 200 people on CONLANG, your words are carrying to a lot of people. Make them count.

LIST REPLY

The LISTSERV software will set most postings to reply directly to the list -- This is different from the way these lists used to work. If this causes a problem for anyone by hiding their email address, send me email; the software is supposed not to reset the reply-to address for people who will suffer problems as a result, but it may still cause problems.


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Copyright © 1997, Peter Clark,
Last updated: July 14, 1997