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From: lilandbr@scn.org (Leland Bryant Ross)
Subject: Small Language Economics (was Re: Fault &c.-  Esperanto)
Message-ID: <DxJt28.763@scn.org>
Sender: news@scn.org
Reply-To: lilandbr@scn.org (Leland Bryant Ross)
Organization: Seattle Community Network
References: <elnaDxIBoq.9zy@netcom.com> <19960902060147.baaa003K0@babyblue.cs.yale.edu> <Pine.SUN.3.94.960904082145.5448E-100000@access5.digex.net> <elnaDxH6rv.J3v@netcom.com> <Pine.SUN.3.94.960909194727.18099A-100000@access4.digex.net>
Date: Wed, 11 Sep 1996 03:15:43 GMT
Lines: 35


Miko Sloper (of Esperanto League N America, <elna@netcom.com> wrote (to 
Paul O Bartlett <pobart@access.digex.net>):

>>> Paul O Bartlett [...] writes in a recent posting [...]:
>>> >    One of the problems with _any_ conlang IAL, including Esperanto, 
>>> >is distribution of materials.  [...]
>>> This is undeniably true, but it is not the fault of the language itself!
>>> BTW is it easier to find works in any other small language- e.g. Basque 
>>> or Estonian?
>  The difficulty of obtaining materials in or about *any*
>small language is *not* a reflection of its value, but rather a condemnation
>of our parochial bookstores!!   
>

Mi, t.e. Liland Ros' <lilandbr@scn.org>:

Now, now, Miko, let's not condemn the poor bookstores.  Surely we can all 
agree that with several thousand languages competing for limited shelf 
space, logistics and economics and technology bear a far greater share of 
the blame than bookseller parochialism!  While there is cause to hope 
that the currently in-progress technological revolution will (already has 
to some extent!) make it easier to get materials in and about so-called 
small languages, very few booksellers (be they B Dalton or the Harvard 
Coop or some suburban Harlequin-recycler) can *afford* the shelf space 
involved in keeping more than one or two small-language titles before the 
public eye.  And those one or two titles, times being what they are, are 
more likely to be Klingon than Esperanto or Basque.

Liland Brajant ROS' - Baldauxa delegoto de UEA en Seatlo
--
Liland Brajant ROS'                "Sed krom se iuj el la  homoj  malsategas,
P O Box 30091                      kiel do la socio povas posedi strukturon?"
Seattle, WA 98103 Usono            -Gulivero (Ted Danson) en la nova televida
Tel. (206) 633-2434                 versio,  citita  en  "Baptist Peacemaker"
