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Re: [lojban] Lojban writing system

MorphemeAddict@wmconnect.com wrote:
In a message dated 7/3/2006 4:23:08 AM Central Standard Time, ecartis@digitalkingdom.org writes: 

er... *who* writes?  Did my identity really come up as
ecartis@digitalkingdom.org?


I am a Lojbanist.  I'm not a member of the ruling elite, or the steering
committee, I'm not even barely fluent.  I am a Lojbanist.  I do see room
for improvement, and I do think it's a worthy goal, to improve upon
Lojban. I am a Lojbanist. I am a part of Lojban. 

Why not deal with this issue *in* Lojban?


I've already answered that question, but I'll answer it again if it
bears repeating.  I'm not even barely fluent.  While I'm on the subject
of what bears repeating: I *am* still a Lojbanist.

Since mere repetition is not a useful contribution, I'll elaborate.  My
goal is to communicate an idea.  The best idiom for me to communicate it
in, is English.  The value of the substance is independent of the
conveyance.

Adding value to the conveyance would be good, granted, but... I'm lazy.
 I'm counting on the inherent value of the idea.  I'm hoping there's
some leeway on form of expression, when the thing being expressed is
what's important.  If there's not that much leeway, let me know, I'll go
away.  I would understand completely if it is the policy of this list to
discourage posts not written in the Lojban language - if there is such a
policy, let me know.  While I'll stick to my guns if some individuals in
a community don't like my posts, I will leave, disappointedly, but
peacefully, if the community as a whole doesn't want me.  I've seen some
Internet politics.  I don't want to be remembered hatefully.

Of course, the obvious counter-question to "Why not deal with this issue
*in* Lojban?" is:  Why not deal with it in English?

And, in anticipation of that question, you answered:
After learning the language well enough to do this, you might be better able to make your case. 

Perhaps.  Perhaps not.  Do you think I'm doing a poor job of making my
case, currently?  I honestly want to know.  I suspect the biggest effect
by far would be to improve the *perceived* legitimacy of the idea, not
the *actual* legitimacy.

Hm.  I had another paragraph here, but I can't seem to write it without
getting offensive, so I'll leave it off.
I, for one, have no desire whatsoever to use a different alphabet for Lojban, even though I know several different alphabets already. 

I do not intend to force you to learn a different alphabet.  In fact, I
have absolutely no way to coerce you (except words).  The only power I
have over you is the power you give me.  If you decide to give me no
power, I am no threat to you.  If you decide to give me no power,
*shrug* well, I'm just fine with that.  If you *do* decide to give me
power, though, that's your choice, and if you're uncomfortable with
that... well, I'm not going to take responsibility for that.

But if you're focussing on the power element, you're missing the point
I'm trying to make.

In fact, that whole post had nothing to do with the point I was trying
to make, except the last sentence, as a vote against the idea.  And I'm
okay with that, I know there'll be votes against it, and I'm interested
to hear reasons behind those votes, even if it's just "I have no
desire".  And I do have some (conditional, limited) 'yes' votes: Mark E.
Shoulson wrote "Ah, using VS as an 'official' culturally-neutral
Lojbanic spelling for things inside ZOI (and la'o) quotes; THAT is truly
excellent".  So I do feel justified in leading the crusade, for a little
longer at least.

And the specifics of the idea are still fluid.  For example, I've
learned that a phonemic alphabet is what's good for Lojban, and
definitely *not* a phonetic one.  I'm not throwing a brick at you, I'm
throwing a piece of paper, and inviting you to write on it too.

mi'e .xius.
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