Any thoughts on Esperanto (International), Lojban (Semantic), Solresol (Representative of French), Sindarin (Tolkien), Drow (Dungeons and Dragons), and Klingon (Star Trek)?
I've noticed Esperanto seems to produce propaedeutic effects by either loading quickly (it's *fast* to learn) or directing more attention to the analysis of a language's structure (by nature, it encourages the student to do this). It's a very structured language, in terms of word construction.
The biggest obstacle to Esperanto is way that zealots over-sell it. It is easier to learn than natural languages, but not effortless the way some would have you think.
Even if all Esperanto speakers were "zealots" (in my experience, it's only a small percentage), how does that in any way present an "obstacle" to learning and using the language?
Even if all Esperanto speakers were "zealots" (in my experience, it's only a small percentage), how does that in any way present an "obstacle" to learning and using the language?
Mouth-frothing zealots, whether it's for Esperanto, Macs, or even Linux (though the last might be justifiable;) ) tend to turn normal people off. If you annoy someone, they're much less receptive to what you're preaching about.
I watched Red Dwarf and thought the Esperanto bit was interesting, so I went to the library and checked out Pierre Janton's book. Then when I saw "Teach Yourself Esperanto" on the shelf at the bookstore, I bought it and started learning. I corresponded with several pen-pals in Europe using the language, and none of them were "frothing at the mouth."
No pressure, no ideology, just fun. Glad I managed to avoid your "obstacle."
The term "effortless" is a meaningless word used as an undefined quantifier. It functions as a qualifier to suggest a steep learning curve, without suggesting what that might mean; typically it acts as hyperbole.
I've heard quotes from 4 to 16 times as fast--25% down to 6.25% as much effort--to learn; I don't know how much I believe that, and can't test on myself because I learn more quickly than others (I'm attentive to information; it's a habit that enables me to learn faster, when I'm not being incredi
Esperanto, Sindarin, Drow (Score:5, Interesting)
Any thoughts on Esperanto (International), Lojban (Semantic), Solresol (Representative of French), Sindarin (Tolkien), Drow (Dungeons and Dragons), and Klingon (Star Trek)?
I've noticed Esperanto seems to produce propaedeutic effects by either loading quickly (it's *fast* to learn) or directing more attention to the analysis of a language's structure (by nature, it encourages the student to do this). It's a very structured language, in terms of word construction.
Lojban is supposed to be unambiguous; I t
Re:Esperanto, Sindarin, Drow (Score:2)
The biggest obstacle to Esperanto is way that zealots over-sell it. It is easier to learn than natural languages, but not effortless the way some would have you think.
Re: (Score:0)
Even if all Esperanto speakers were "zealots" (in my experience, it's only a small percentage), how does that in any way present an "obstacle" to learning and using the language?
Re: (Score:2)
Even if all Esperanto speakers were "zealots" (in my experience, it's only a small percentage), how does that in any way present an "obstacle" to learning and using the language?
Mouth-frothing zealots, whether it's for Esperanto, Macs, or even Linux (though the last might be justifiable ;) ) tend to turn normal people off. If you annoy someone, they're much less receptive to what you're preaching about.
Re: (Score:0)
I see. So the trick is to avoid zealots.
I watched Red Dwarf and thought the Esperanto bit was interesting, so I went to the library and checked out Pierre Janton's book. Then when I saw "Teach Yourself Esperanto" on the shelf at the bookstore, I bought it and started learning. I corresponded with several pen-pals in Europe using the language, and none of them were "frothing at the mouth."
No pressure, no ideology, just fun. Glad I managed to avoid your "obstacle."
Re: (Score:2)
The term "effortless" is a meaningless word used as an undefined quantifier. It functions as a qualifier to suggest a steep learning curve, without suggesting what that might mean; typically it acts as hyperbole.
I've heard quotes from 4 to 16 times as fast--25% down to 6.25% as much effort--to learn; I don't know how much I believe that, and can't test on myself because I learn more quickly than others (I'm attentive to information; it's a habit that enables me to learn faster, when I'm not being incredi