Re: [lojban] Playing with Tanru and Fu'ivla... "Philips screwdriver"

[Kevin Reid <kpreid@switchb.org>]

On Mar 14, 2012, at 11:42, Escape Landsome wrote:

>> I would say that {kucylupcartci} is a lujvo that I, knowing that there
>> is an important distinction between phillips and flathead
>> screwdrivers, might interpret correctly. If I wanted to say it, I'd
>> probably go with a tanru: {kruca lupcartci} or {me la .filips.
>> lupcartci}
> 
> But "Philips" screwdriver is an english-speaking way to call this kind of tool.
> 
> In France, it is "cruciforme" screwdriver, that is : "in the shape of a cross".
> 
> Thus, the way we lojbanize it, it is not culturally neutral *at all*

"Phillips" is not simply a synonym for "cross-shaped". There are several different cross-shaped screw drives, some of which superficially resemble each other but may be damaged if confused:

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_screw_drives#Cruciform_types

More broadly, specific screw drive designs are inherently (technical-)culture-specific items.

I believe the appropriate Lojbanization is to use a fu'ivla for the Phillips type in particular, and have words which are specifically vague for cross-shaped screw drives in general.

-- 
Kevin Reid                                  <http://switchb.org/kpreid/>

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