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> Author : And
> URL : http://www.lojban.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=144#144
> Subject : what it takes to be a UI: {kau}
I'm following Nick's advice and replying here, instead of in BPFK.
> > I do not think that NAI should not be moved to selma'o UI.
> >
> > These are some of the reasons why:
> >
> > According to the Fregean principle of compositionality, doing this
> > would require us to define some kind of semantic content that is
> > independent of context, AND a rule that can combine nai with the word
> > or phrase that is modified, UI-style. I don't think anyone here knows
> > what kind of semantic content that would be, in any more detail than
> > "the modified word/phrase is negated somehow".
>
> It's a good principle, but are we going to apply it to existing members
> of UI and remove them from UI if they fail the test? {kau} would be a
> prime candidate.
In a perfect world, yes.
But, if we were to try to do everything The Right Way, we wouldn't have a
finished language until 3500, as someone said on the BPFK. For now, I'm
content with not introducing *more* intractability to formal semantics in
the language.
--
Arnt Richard Johansen http://arj.nvg.org/
Someone near the center of the room raises his hand. "Yes, you near
the center," the woman says, pointing to him.
"I used to drive nitro-burning ground-pounding six-second funny cars.
Is there any chance that I'll be able to shake hands with the devil
while I scream through the gates of Hell?" he asks.
The woman responds, "I'm afraid that, due to the volume of new
immigrants, the devil is unable to personally greet each new arrival."
-- Michael J. Roberts: Perdition's Flames