[lojban-beginners] Re: On Constructed Languages

["Ben Cook" <psylight@msn.com>]

Naomi K wrote:

> Heyaz
> Excuse me if I sound n00bish but only since my learning of Lojban have I 
> taken notice of the wonderful world of contructed languages....Esperanto, 
> Ido, Glosa, Novial etc........ I am frankly amazed at the amount of 
> languages; it really is fascinating, although I am not what I would 
> consider a 'hardcore' linguist or anything of the kind. What do you 
> Lojbanists think of the other artificial languages? What made you get into 
> Lojban, not the easier, more mainstream Esperanto? Do any of you speak in 
> other constructed languages?

Lojban is the only conlang I've bothered with. I don't see any pragmatic
use for conlangs, generally, and I place a low internal value on things
of little pragmatic use. Lojban is the exception because of its origins
in predicate logic. I'm learning Lojban to be able to think in Lojban.
I've become greatly frustrated with English and its grammatical
peculiarities, especially how coarsely-grained it is. I figure that once
I'm fluent enough to be able to think primarily (or even secondarily) in
Lojban, it will provide enough insight into my English writing and
thinking that I will become a better English speaker/writer. I've
noticed a few fringe benefits already. I also believe that Lojban is a
better internal representation of the fundamental patterns of thought
I've observed through introspection than English is.