Newsgroups: sci.lang
Path: cantaloupe.srv.cs.cmu.edu!rochester!udel!gatech!howland.reston.ans.net!torn!nott!cunews!freenet.carleton.ca!FreeNet.Carleton.CA!cl596
From: cl596@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Petar Lazic)
Subject: Re: Non-Sexist Language Reform - Esperanto
Message-ID: <DGJq49.913@freenet.carleton.ca>
Sender: cl596@freenet2.carleton.ca (Petar Lazic)
Reply-To: cl596@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Petar Lazic)
Organization: The National Capital FreeNet
References: <kenmayer-2709951907590001@pilsudski.wag.utexas.edu> <453nna$eq0@news.gate.net> <DG3Bxx.ACB@freenet.carleton.ca> <45m6je$so5@louie.udel.edu> <elnaDGGvxt.8A1@netcom.com> <45tjql$650@lemon.easynet.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 16 Oct 1995 14:40:57 GMT
Lines: 23


Cyberia4 (cyberia@easynet.co.uk) writes:
> 
> There is a movement for non-sexist language in English. Language is a human
> artifact -- it can be changed by the conscious actions of people. If
> people want to change something, they will.
> 

I don't think that planned language reform is such a great idea. When
people or especially governments set about to consciously have language 
policy, you end up with dumb institutions like the Academie Francaise and
the language laws in Quebec. I don't mean to use only French examples,
I know there are others, but I don't know the details. You would have
to be very careful about what reforms you instituted or you could
end up with some pretty ridiculous policies. 



--
"As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself
transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect."
				*****
Petar Lazic:   cl596@freenet.carleton.ca
