From lojban@cuvmb.bitnet Mon Jul 15 00:44:53 1996 Received: from punt4.demon.co.uk by stryx.demon.co.uk with SMTP id AA13173 ; Mon, 15 Jul 96 00:44:31 BST Received: from punt-4.mail.demon.net by mailstore for ia@stryx.demon.co.uk id 837360609:28489:0; Sun, 14 Jul 96 17:10:09 BST Received: from cunyvm.cuny.edu ([128.228.1.2]) by punt-4.mail.demon.net id aa27852; 14 Jul 96 17:09 +0100 Received: from CUVMB.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU by CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU (IBM VM SMTP V2R3) with BSMTP id 4540; Sun, 14 Jul 96 12:09:08 EDT Received: from CUVMB.COLUMBIA.EDU by CUVMB.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU (Mailer R2.07) with BSMTP id 1831; Sun, 14 Jul 96 12:08:44 EDT Date: Sun, 14 Jul 1996 12:08:10 -0400 Reply-To: Logical Language Group Sender: Lojban list From: Logical Language Group Subject: Dave Barton's Proposal for discussion at LogFest X-To: lojban@cuvmb.cc.columbia.edu To: Multiple recipients of list LOJBAN Message-ID: <837360554.27852.0@cunyvm.cuny.edu> Status: R Dave Barton is seeking to find ways to get funding for LLG and has drafted the following. Comments are welcome - we will be discussing the proposal at LogFest. >Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 13:23:12 -0400 >From: dlb@severn.wash.inmet.com (David Barton) >To: lojbab@access.digex.net >Subject: The First Version of the Proposal > >I have not put an address on the proposal yet. It can be yours or mine; >I don't care either way. > >For sheer logistics, I am particularly interested in any comments and >corrections you have on the section on the LLG; I guessed on the stuff >here, and it needs to reflect reality. Of course, any other comments >you have will be gratefully accepted. > >Hope to hear from you soon, and I'm looking forward to the LogFest. > > Dave Barton <*> > dlb@wash.inmet.com )0( > http://www.inmet.com/~dlb >---------------------------------------------------------------- > Better Intercultural Communication > The Logical Languages Group > 24 June, 1996 > > > >1. Executive Summary > >Communication between people of different cultures is marred by >differing cultural assumptions, attitudes, and mechanisms of >communicating emotion. A tone of a voice, a lift of an eyebrow, or a >cultural metaphor may speak volumes to a member of the same culture, but >be completely lost on someone from a different country, tribe, or >family. Such missed and confused communication can cost time, money, >embarrassment, and even lives. > >The Logical Languages Group has created a logical language called Lojban >to address this specific need. The adjective ``logical'' refers to its >organization, which is based on the predicate, rather than its subject >matter. Indeed, it has an extensive set of features for communicating >emotions and attitudes. A primary goal of the language is to include as >spoken syllables those important parts of communication that are often >unspoken in English and other modern languages. By moving emotions and >attitudes from the unspoken to the spoken, we hope to avoid >misunderstandings that often occur between people. Lojban is easy to >learn, much easier than most modern languages. This will assist people >to learn Lojban as a common lingua franca. If Lojban is truly >significantly simpler to learn than other languages, it will go a long >way to establishing a single lingua franca between all the people of the >earth. > >In addition to helping communication between people of different >cultures, Lojban can help communication between people and the computers >that have been created to serve them. Lojban has a computer program >that translates Lojban messages into computer comprehensible data >structures. We hope that this will be used to allow people to talk to >computers more freely, in a language that they can also use with other >people. > >The Logical Languages Group has designed Lojban, and documented it in a >series of books. We now need to begin the task of presenting this >information as widely as possible. This means printing and selling the >books to as wide an audience as we can possibly create. > >Our request to your foundation is that you provide the initial print run >of these books. With this seed, we can begin and continue to distribute >the materials to anyone who is interested. From the initial seed, sales >of the book will pay for reprints and translations as necessary. > >With this seed, the growth of Lojban will proceed as quickly as the >Logical Languages Group can generate interest. At present, that growth >is hampered by lack of printed material. This barrier is insupportable, >and insurmountable with our present resources. We ask that your >foundation help remove that barrier, and allow us to work towards our >dream: Lojban being known throughout the world as a second language, >helping all people communicate better and more effectively. > > > >2. The Overall Need > >The Logical Languages Group was born of a dissatisfaction with existing >mechanisms for communicating between cultures. The gap between peoples >born in different parts of the world is more than linguistic; it is >cultural as well. Even if we learn each other's language, we find that >the subtle emphases and connotations are sufficient to completely block >communication between people of different cultures. The richness of >language --- metaphor, implication, vocal tones, references to shared >cultural subjects --- are at least as important to communication as the >grammar and dictionary definitions of the words of the different >languages. > >Examples of such confusions abound. Some of the most amusing occur in >business, such as when the Chevrolet Nova had virtually no sales in >Spanish speaking countries, since ``no va'' in Spanish means ``no go''. >While this may be amusing, it cost General Motors millions of dollars. >Similar misunderstandings in diplomatic circles can cost more than >money; it can cost thousands of lives. > >The Logical Languages Group has approached this problem by creating a >``logical language'' called Lojban (which means ``logical language'' in >Lojban). The heart of Lojban is the predicate. This takes the place of >the normal noun, verb, and adjective of most languages, and states that >a relationship exists between the different pieces of the sentence. >This new, different kind of language structure is more flexible, and >easier to learn, than the normal profusion of nouns, adjectives, and >verbs. > >Despite the connotation of ``logical'' in logical language, a large part >of Lojban (and the shortest words, as we anticipate them being the most >used) consists of ``attitudinal indicators''. These express emotion, >attitudes, and other important parts of our communication normally given >by facial expressions, voice tones, allusions to shared cultural >patterns, and a multitude of additional non-verbal mechanisms. By >giving the vital pieces of communication a voice, we allow these >normally vital pieces of our communication that are normally lost across >the gap of translation, we allow these normally uncommunicated cultural >dependent pieces of our messages to be transmitted across cultural >barriers. > >Due to its predicate structure, Lojban is also easier to learn than a >normal language. We have increased this by making as many of the words >in Lojban as possible cognates of similar words in other languages. In >order to be as culturally neutral as possible, we have chosen words from >other languages in the order in which they are spoken by the world's >population; Chinese first, then English, and so on. While we have a >small sample of people who have attempted to learn Lojban, we estimate >that Lojban can be learned in two thirds to one half the amount of time >that it takes to learn a normal spoken language. This makes Lojban an >ideal second language, particularly for adults whose language learning >ability is not as great as young children. > >As we progress into the next century, the need for accurate >communication between peoples of different cultures will become more and >more important. Additionally, we may anticipate that communication >between human and machine will also become increasingly important as >technology plays a greater role in all our lives. The Logical Languages >Group has paced the development of the language with the development of >a computer program that translates any message in Lojban into computer >data structures. This program is freely available to all researchers, >or anyone interested in the language. > >We therefore have a dream that Lojban can become the second language of >the entire world. It is easy to learn, culturally neutral, allows >communication of complex emotions and attitudes, and permits not only >communication between human and human, but also between human and >computer. > >There are two other candidates for the position of ``second language of >the world''. One of these is English. As technology has spread, so has >English since it is the language of technology. Unfortunately, English >is extremely complex and is difficult to learn. It is also far from >culturally neutral; indeed, it comes with a large set of cultural >assumptions. This can lead to two people, even if they know English, >misunderstanding each other because of different cultural assumptions >(to say nothing of different accents!). > >The other potential candidate is Esperanto, the best known and most >widely spoken of the constructed (or artificial) languages. Esperanto >is known and spoken by more than a million people. Because of its >regular structure, it is easier to learn than most languages as well. > >Lojban is a different approach to the problem than that of Esperanto. >First, the attitudinal indicators allow emotions and cultural attitudes >to be expressed more fluently in Lojban. Second, we believe the >predicate structure of Lojban will be even easier to learn. Third, >Esperanto is derived from the major European languages, and is thus not >culturally neutral. We hope that Lojban will be better accepted than >Esperanto in the Eastern areas of the world. Finally, Esperanto is not >easily translated into computer data structures, as is Lojban. We do >not see Lojban as in direct competition with Esperanto, but rather as an >alternative approach to achieve similar goals. > >This, therefore, is our dream; to create a language that can be a means >of communication between all people, and between people and machines. >To this end, we have created a language that is easy to learn, >culturally neutral, and easily translated to computer data structures. >Having created this language, we now need to distribute it as widely as >possible. > > > >3. The Specific Need > >The Logical Languages Group is committed to the widest possible >dissemination of information concerning Lojban. Indeed, this was the >reason for the creation of the Logical Languages Group; we wished to >create a language that would be fully in the public domain, and totally >available to anyone who wished to learn and use it. > >To this end, we have prepared the necessary books to allow someone to >learn the language: a definition of the structure of the language (the >reference grammar), a dictionary from English to Lojban and Lojban to >English, a textbook, and an introduction to the language. We have >already taken advantage of the latest communications technology to make >this information available. All of these works are available, without >charge, on the World Wide Web through the Internet. > >However, only a small part of the world's population has access to the >Internet at present. To gain the widest possible distribution of >Lojban, we must publish these books just as any normal book is >published. Unfortunately, there are reasons why we cannot take the >normal route of presenting the book for publication and sale via the >normal channels. First, we have no built-in, verified market for the >works. A publisher wants to see a verified market for a book before he >takes the risk of paying for printing and distributing a book, for >obvious reasons. In addition, we are committed to making all these >materials freely available to anyone who wants them. We therefore >permit --- indeed, we encourage --- anyone to obtain copies of the books >from the Internet, and to copy them as freely as necessary. A publisher >rightly feels that this interferes with the market for his books. The >same arguments apply to persuading a bank to loan money to the Logical >Languages Group so that we may publish the books on our own. > >This is the reason for this application. We are asking for enough >resources to produce an initial run of 2500 copies of each of the five >books. These books include: > >o The reference grammar, which is the official definition of > the structure of Lojban. > >o An English to Lojban dictionary. > >o A Lojban to English dictionary. > >o A textbook which teaches the reader to speak Lojban, > including exercises. > >o An introduction to the language, that gives the reader > a feel for Lojban and its structure, and that allows the > reader to speak simple sentences in Lojban. > >This set of books allows us to fully present the language to all >audiences, from college classes through informal groups dedicated to >learning the language to the individual who is simply curious. It >allows us complete coverage of the entire English speaking community. > >This is a necessary next step in achieving our goal of presenting Lojban >to the world as a ``universal second language''. From here, we will >reprint the books as necessary, and begin the task of translating the >books into other languages. Given the initial investment in the first >printing of 2500, further progression on this road will be self-funded >by sales on of the existing books. This is therefore a one time grant, >but an absolutely necessary one. It also assures that we can progress >in this area only as fast as books are sold, and therefore needed. If >Internet distribution channels are sufficient, then sales of the book >will slow and unnecessary books will not be produced. If more books are >needed, the existing ones will sell and pay for additional printings. > >Without this initial grant, the spread of Lojban will be irreversibly >slowed. The initial ``seed'' of published volumes will allow the >Logical Languages Group to renew the stock as necessary, creating a >continuing resource for those who wish to learn to speak Lojban. >Without it, the body of speakers will grow much more slowly, and may >never reach the critical mass necessary for worldwide dissemination of >the language. We sincerely hope that your foundation will consider this >proposal as worthy of funding for this reason. > >4. Project Description > >This project consists of printing 2500 copies of each of five books. >This total of 10,000 books will provide the seed for the wide >dissemination of Lojban through the English speaking world and, when >translations are complete to other languages, throughout the entire >world. > > The books consist of the following: > > >Introduction to Lojban > This is a short introductory volume that gives the > reader a grasp of the principles of the language. > By the end of the book, the reader will be able to > recognize Lojban, explain its unique features, and > compose simple Lojban sentences with the aid of a > dictionary. This is a paperbound volume, and should > cost the reader $7.50. > >Learning Lojban > This is the standard textbook for Lojban, suitable for > a language course at the high school or college level. > It includes exercises and other teaching materials. By > the conclusion of a course using this textbook, the > reader will be able to read and write Lojban with the > aid of a dictionary and the reference grammar. It is a > hardbound volume of approximately 600 pages, and will > cost $25.00. > >The Lojban Reference Grammar > This is the formal definition of the rules of the > language. It is definitive; all the rules of the > language will be given in this book. It will be the > standard reference of the language. It is a hardbound > book of approximately 600 pages, and will cost $25.00. > >English to Lojban Dictionary > As the title implies, this is a dictionary of English > words and their Lojban equivalents. It is a hardbound > volume of approximately 600 pages, and will cost > $25.00. > >Lojban to English Dictionary > As the title implies, this is a dictionary of Lojban > words and their English equivalents. It is a hardbound > volume of approximately 600 pages, and will cost > $25.00. > > >The prices given above are full retail, and give sufficient room for >various discounts. These discounts can either be to dealers, or will >allow the Logical Languages Group to offer special deals and still more >than recoup their costs. The additional funding will allow printing in >larger quantities if this seems advisable, and will assist in funding >translations of the materials. > >This is the sum total of the project; to provide the initial seed for >wide promulgation of Lojban. All of the funds from sales of these >materials will go into wider dissemination of these materials and the >preparation of additional materials, such as more course materials. > > >5. Project Budget > >We have requested estimates for printing the materials, as given above, >for each of the books listed in the project description above. The >prices given are rounded upwards and include an estimate for freight >charges to the headquarters of the Logical Languages Group in Fairfax, >Virginia. Any amount above these estimates will be included in the >publicity budget, as shown below. > > Item Estimated Cost > Introduction to Lojban $3500.00 > Learning Lojban $11,000.00 > The Lojban Reference Grammar $11,000.00 > English to Lojban Dictionary $11,000.00 > Lojban to English Dictionary $11,000.00 > Publicity $5000.00 > Total $52,500.00 > >Copies of the estimates from printers are available upon request. > >The publicity budget, as given, is extremely small by normal standards. >We anticipate most of the promotion for the works being done my means >that do not require additional funds. These include articles about >Lojban, press releases, submissions to collections of available books, >and Internet publicity. The small budget will allow one small ad in >Scientific American or a similar publication, and perhaps small >announcements in professional linguistics journals. > >The preparation of camera ready art for the books will be done on an >entirely volunteer basis, as will the actual writing of the books. All >these works are nearly complete, and are undergoing review. The >copyright of all these works will belong to the Logical Languages Group; >all the authors are donating their time and expertise. Graphic layout >of the covers, and art for the covers, will also be done on a volunteer >basis. Thus, our sole needs are for printing and publicity. > >The Logical Languages Group is a tax-exempt organization; a copy of the >certification of this fact is attached to this proposal. At this time, >our funds are sufficiently small that we have no audited financial >statement. Our dues are extremely low, and are often remitted entirely >for those who cannot pay, but express interest. The dues pay for the >distribution of the newsletter and for portions of the annual gathering >of those interested in Lojban in Fairfax, Virginia. We have no paid >staff and no real property; our assets are strictly intellectual. We >will set up a separate fund for the sales of these publications, and >will have this fund audited annually by a certified public accountant. >Labor for shipping the books will be volunteer at first, and if paid >staff is necessary at a later time, or if we choose to use an order >fulfillment service, this will be a part of the same publication >account, and will be subject to the annual audit. > > >6. The Logical Languages Group > >Logical languages have been under development for more than thirty >years. Loglan was the original logical language, and was developed by >John Cooke Brown and a number of volunteers under the guise of The >Loglan Institute. The work done by The Loglan Institute on Loglan was >formative for logical languages, and the Logical Languages Group is >continually indebted to this work for its efforts. > >The Logical Languages Group has been in existence for more than ten >years. It was formed by members of The Loglan Institute who disagreed >with the Institute's policy concerning intellectual property of close >control of all materials concerning Loglan. The members of the Logical >Languages Group are totally committed to the widest possible >availability of all information concerning Lojban; this is the >cornerstone of their establishment and existence as a separate entity. >All of the labor dedicated to the development of Lojban has been donated >to the Logical Languages Group, including the preparation of the books >we now wish to print. > >During the past ten years, we have built a large vocabulary and refined >the rules of the language. This has progressed to the preparation of >the extensive collection of materials that exists today. The quality >and existence of these materials is a tribute to the dedication and >efforts of these volunteer linguists, and without them Lojban would not >exist. > >At present, the Logical Languages Group is devoting itself to completing >the documents that we are asking you to help us print, and promulgating >Lojban in any way we can. Our budget remains small, and will remain >small until we begin actually printing and selling books. We look >forward to this change in our existence as an exciting challenge, and >the true beginning of our goal to make Lojban the second language of the >world. > > >7. Conclusion > >The Logical Languages Group is held together by a single dream. That >dream is that there is a better way for people from different cultures >to communicate, one that avoids misunderstandings due to unstated >cultural attitudes and mechanisms of communicating emotion. We also >dream that people everywhere can not only communicate better with each >other, but also with the computers that serve them. > >To achieve this dream we need to put Lojban before the world community >so that it may judge for itself, gradually, if it can truly fulfill this >goal. We need a seed. It is, in many ways, a small seed. It is also a >one time seed, one that will not have to be repeated. We are not asking >your foundation for continuing support, just for this one time grant to >propel us into the path to fulfill our dream. Once our first infusion >of books has been received, the dream will then require no more external >funding. Steady work, and intelligent effort will be needed; however, >we are used to this. We have needed it to get this far. > >We hope that you will join us in this dream. We believe it is one that >is worthy of your attention, and your funds. We look forward to >cooperating with you in helping all people to communicate better. > > =============== ---- lojbab lojbab@access.digex.net Bob LeChevalier, President, The Logical Language Group, Inc. 2904 Beau Lane, Fairfax VA 22031-1303 USA 703-385-0273 For the artificial language Loglan/Lojban, see powered.cs.yale.edu /pub/lojban or see Lojban WWW Server: href="http://xiron.pc.helsinki.fi/lojban/"