Re: Gulliver

> From: Samuel Rivier
>
> Once again, there is a miscommunication.
>
> Complexion of a people can give CLUES as to their
> language family. It doesn't point the way with neon
> signs (sorry, I like the dumb metaphors).
Poppycock! A man or woman with a dark complexion might speak Hindi, Kikuyu,
Dyirbal or any number of other unrelated languages.  Complexion would give
me no clue as which he or she might speak.

> And yes, I know Japanese is a separate language
> family. But if the people of Balnibarbi appear
> Oriental in complexion, then that gives immediate
> clues toward linguistic descendence in Sino-Tibetan,
> Japanese, Korean, etc, but by no means proof. But when
> we have to recreate a conlang from relatively little
> to work from, there is every reason to explore race as
> a connection.
I'm not sure what "Oriental in complexion" even means.  What clues would
knowing a man is Caucasian give me that would allow me to determine whether
he spoke a Germanic, Romance or Slavonic language?  Race is far too broad a
category to have any relevance in this matter.

Stay curious,
David

David E. Bell
The Gray Wizard
dbell@graywizard.net
www.graywizard.net
AIM: GraWzrd

Wisdom begins in wonder.

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