Date: Fri, 7 Nov 1997 05:02:28 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <199711071002.FAA17990@locke.ccil.org> Reply-To: Ashley Yakeley Sender: Lojban list From: Ashley Yakeley Subject: Ironic Use of Attitudinals X-To: Lojban List To: John Cowan X-Mozilla-Status: 0001 Content-Length: 747 X-From-Space-Date: Fri Nov 7 05:02:42 1997 X-From-Space-Address: LOJBAN@CUVMB.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU Also sprach refgram -- It is important to realize that ``.uu'', and indeed all attitudinals, are meant to be used sincerely, not ironically. In English, the exclamation ``Pity!'' is just as likely to be ironically intended, but this usage does not extend to Lojban. Lying with attitudinals is (normally) as inappropriate to Lojban discourse as any other kind of lying: perhaps worse, because misunderstood emotions can cause even greater problems than misunderstood statements. I assume the refgram is merely saying that none of the attitudinals are ironic by default, rather than that attitudinals should never be used ironically. Is this right? -- Ashley Yakeley, Seattle WA http://www.halcyon.com/ashleyb/