Re: NativeNet moderators needed
Marion Gunn (icnucevm.cnuce.cnr.it!irlearn.ucd.ie!mgunn)
Fri, 6 Dec 1991 00:27:59 GMT
On the subject of a net for languages of "aboriginal" peoples -- the term
strikes me as somehow odd, when applied to languages in contemporary use!
Do the languages of aboriginal peoples differ very greatly from others?
To me, language is much the same everywhere -- an agreed code of sounds
developed over time within a given group of humans, with the dual purpose
of sharing their thoughts with one another and concealing them.Of course,
I know that no two languages are alike, though some come in families, but
I can't see language being divided on such simple lines, with those of
"developed" (western?) societies on one side of the line, and those of
non(pre?)-industrial societies on the other, except in the matter of
different vocabularies (for example, technical terminology, as opposed
to plant and animal names) but that's a superficial difference. It says
nothing of comparing languages structurally, in terms of parts of speech,
syntax, or whether any one language (this I do NOT believe, though I'd
love to hear the matter disputed!) is superior to another in terms of
directing thought lines between consenting humans. I know the barriers
between speakers of the "same" language -- take, for example, English --
who happen to belong to radically different cultural or religious or even
professional traditions can be just as impenetrable -- more so, in fact --
than the barrier between peoples of similar lifestyles (who only require
to hire the services of an interpreter to get through loud and clear).
Perhaps I just don't know enough about the subject. Anyone on N-L belong
to a school of thought which holds that languages of "aboriginal" peoples
are intrinsically different to those of "non-aboriginals" (what a word!)?
Marion Gunn
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Marion Gunn
Facs <Fax>:+353-1-2694409 Fo/n <'Phone>: +353-1-7068106 no/<or> 2839396
Seoladh <Address>: An Cola/iste Ollscoile, Baile A/tha Cliath 4, E/ire.
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[ The idea of the languages mailing list is not to imply any real
distinction between languages of aboriginal and non-aboriginal
people, but only to be able to have a discussion among those
primarily interested in the latter. Would such a discussion not
have some value? Quite a number of people have signed up for
this mailing list, so apparently they think so. --Gary ]