Re: Lookin' for the OED

On Sat, 06 Jul 2002 14:12, Herman Miller wrote:
> On Fri, 5 Jul 2002 17:52:50 EDT, J Y S Czhang <czhang23@...> wrote:
> >OBCONLANG/CULTURE:  How do peeps' describe work and how do peeps' explain
> >their concultures' "work ethic" or similar? Are there opposing or
> > contrasting views on work ethics?
>
> I haven't thought much about this topic. I looked through a number of my
> nonhuman vocabulary lists (speakers of Olaetian are human), and couldn't
> find many words for work-related concepts, except in Jarda (originally a
> personal language). But I have a few ideas.
>
> Nelya, because of their long life spans, take a more leisurely approach to
> work than huamns. Also, since they live in small family groups and have
> dealings with others of their kind only infrequently, much of their work
> consists of tasks having to do with survival.
>
> At first glance, the idea of a "work ethic" would appear to be entirely
> foreign to Zireen ways of thinking. In fact, they do have a work ethic of
> sorts; they place a high value on quality and efficiency. It's just that
> work as an activity is seen as a means to an end, enabling the more
> important activities of exploration, adventure, and enjoyment of life. I'm
> not even sure that Zireen have a word for "work". They would have words for
> specific work activities, such as preparing food, treating injuries, or
> construction work, but not for the general concept.
I hadn't thought of "work ethic" in relation to Lakhabrech either.  Predators
with a work ethic?  They'd have a "hunt ethic", instead.  The only time they
consider a "work ethic" in place, is when they are employed as caravan guards
for local city traders crossing the Desolate Lands where Yhe Farr lurk and
hunt.

Wesley Parish

--
Mau e ki, "He aha te mea nui?"
You ask, "What is the most important thing?"
Maku e ki, "He tangata, he tangata, he tangata."
I reply, "It is people, it is people, it is people."