[lojban] Re: emphasis

[John E Clifford <clifford-j@sbcglobal.net>]

--- MorphemeAddict@wmconnect.com wrote:
> In a message dated 3/19/2005 5:21:47 AM Eastern
> Standard Time, 
> ecartis@digitalkingdom.org writes:
> 
> 
> > For example, one can use different ordering
> to say the same thing but 
> > with different emphasis, e.g.
> > 
> > do vecnu ta mi
> > 
> > ta se vecnu do mi
> > 
> > means the same thing but with different
> emphasis.
> > 
> 
> Xah, why do you think that there is a
> difference in emphasis?  Everything 
> I've read and heard tells me that they mean
> exactly the same thing.

Well, there's meaning and then there is meaning. 
As far as (mere) information content goes, in
this case, that is the same.  But in terms of the
broader context other pieces of information may
be different.  For example, the first is neutral
emotionally and contextually (I suppose), while
the second, by placing the second place first,
points to something special about the referent of
that place, maybe that it is this rather than
that or that this is a dollop of dung
(figuratively) or... (without context the
possibilities are endless (and even with it they
are many).