Return-Path: From: cbmvax!uunet!mullian.ee.mu.OZ.AU!nsn Message-Id: <9105070127.19280@mullian.ee.mu.OZ.AU> To: lojban-list@snark.thyrsus.com Cc: nsn@mullian.ee.mu.oz.au Subject: Undefining the chemelems Organisation: Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Melbourne Smiley-Convention: %^) Date: Tue, 07 May 91 11:27:41 +1000 Status: RO X-From-Space-Date: Tue May 7 01:59:42 1991 X-From-Space-Address: cbmvax!uunet!mullian.ee.mu.OZ.AU!nsn 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.