> General Discussions
Making Languages?
Mbwa:
musicman:
"No, that was just a joke. I do wonder what your purpose is for wanting to invent another language though. Who else will speak it? Do you believe a whole new language can just be created? I would think that any new language would have to be similar to your first language with slight differences."
Oh. Heh heh.
I wasn't really intending for anybody to speak it but me. And yes, I believe a whole language can be created. There are forums devoted to making languages. A few people can actually speak theirs quite fluently. My language will not be similar to English, that's why I learn about other languages, so it can be different.
"So how is it that you intend to form a new language and who will speak it with you? And what is your motivation. Will it help you make a living? Is it a lost art that will bring you and others aesthetic pleasure?"
I won't go into detail about the process, but usually you start off with the sounds it will have, make up some basic words, do some grammar, and just try and translate stories and expand it. I don't think anybody else will speak it but me. My motivation? It's fun. It's mentally stimulating. I won't make a living off of it; it's a hobby, I don't want it to be work, and if I'm making money from it it seem less like personal art and more like a product. I don't exactly know what you mean by 'lost art,' but it is for aesthetic pleasure.
"I don't know how this falls in line with God. If you (and I do mean you) feel that forming a new language honors God, then go right ahead and do it. If it's for your own uniqueness however, you may want to reconsider. Work it out with God. Best wishes."
I don't know if it's the language itself that honors God, but what I can do with the language to honor God. What I've been getting from this thread is that it's just a hobby, so intention matters greatly. My original concern was that it was like a mockery of Creation or something. Not something humans should be doing now?
Mbwa:
Dave in Tenn: Thanks for your reply.
"Everything not of Faith is sin...can it also be true that everything OF faith--of a life lived under the Kingship of God--is NOT sin?"
I might be misunderstanding you here. So when I take my dog for a walk without God in mind, I'm sinning? When I watch TV? Read secular books? Again, you probably had a broader scope in mind; if you would be so kind, could you please clear this up for me?
"I wish more people had an interest in languages. We are designed to understand and communicate in words, yet words themselves fail to adequately describe, define, and do justice to God and Spirit."
You say that words fail to describe God. Yes, words are such arbitrary little things if you think about it. One benefit of making a language is that you can do your best to fix this, though. When we try to describe something, we are limited, as you said, by the language we speak. I can create words for the things I think best describe how God feels to me. When I pray, talk to Him, whatever, those words will be there. They still won't be perfect, but they will define my personal relationship with God.
"The more we understand the words of God, the better we understand Him and His creation. Intellectually, you are in good company. I'm sure you know that The Lord of the Rings grew organically out of Tolkein's interest in creating languages. I personally see your endeavor as being good mental excercise concerning the nature of language itself. There's value in that. Not all languages are ancient or have ancient origins. Langauge itself evolves, not just idiom. Tagalog, anybody?"
Yes, I am familiar with Tolkien's languages. He was a Christian himself, wasn't he? And yes, languages do evolve. The languages we speak today are waaaaaaaaay different from the ones centuries ago, decades even, as I believe someone here mentioned. It evolves quite quickly, actually. So, have humans not been creating languages since the beginning of time?
"But I am not your Lord and won't judge you right or wrong. I'd encourage you to not be concerned about intellectual 'tithing of mint and anise and cummin' as long as you don't 'omit the weightier matters of the law: judgement, mercy and faith.' Matthew 23:23. I think that's what 'righteousness greater than the Pharisees' is all about"
:).
When I make a language, I am creating. And God is the Creator. Humans could, as in Babel, choose to create away from God, and challenge Him, oppose Him. That is not what I am doing. Other Christian language-makers I've talked to say they are creating right alongside Him, honoring Creation. I don't know if this makes sense to you, but I've come to the conclusion that language is a human thing. What I choose to do with my language matters most. And I'm not going to use it for evil, I can tell you that right now.
:) So I'm going for it. I'm going to make a language, and I'm going to honor God. Maybe when I get a psalm or something translated I'll put it in my signature.
I want to thank everyone who posted for helping me make my decision, and for being so welcoming. I'll probably post wherever else I think I may be able to help, so I'll see y'all around, hopefully. Thanks again,
Mbwa
Dave in Tenn:
Rom 14:17 For God's kingdom does not consist of food and drink, but of righteousness, peace, and joy produced by the Holy Spirit.
Rom 14:18 For the person who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by people.
Rom 14:19 Therefore, let us keep on pursuing those things that bring peace and that lead to building one another up.
Rom 14:20 Do not destroy God's work for the sake of food. Everything is clean, but it is wrong to make another person fall because of what you eat.
Rom 14:21 The right thing to do is to avoid eating meat, drinking wine, or doing anything else that makes your brother stumble or become upset or weak.
Rom 14:22 As for the faith you do have, have it as your own conviction before God. How blessed is the person who has no reason to condemn himself because of what he approves!
Rom 14:23 But the person who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not act in faith; and anything that is not done in faith is sin.
That's the scripture.
To me, sin is less about what we do, and more about what we are. Religion is about making rules. whether we recieve those through our upbringing or make them up ourselves. Living life under the Kingship of God is a relationship. Some things are clear...other things come into focus only with time and failure. Living life this way is what is pleasing to God. Even the heathen can manage to not commit murder...most without even trying very hard. :D It takes the Spirit of God to love our enemy's though. That's just an example of what I'm seeking to say.
So, yes...you can sin while walking your dog, even though there's not a thing wrong with walking your dog. Tommorrow, however, it may be the Lord's will that walking your dog is NOT a sin, and the next day it IS. Putting the focus on 'to walk or not to walk' is not a life pleasing to God. All he wants is our obedience, not our opinion on dog-walking. :D I hope that helps.
cherokee:
Hey Mbwa,
Was rereading Ray's paper on "Speaking in Unknown Tongues" this morning, and i think it would give you alot to think about re guarding any questions you have about making up your own languages. You should read it before you go ahead and start on that new language as it will give you more insight into speaking in languages spiritually rather than physically.
Here is the link to it: http://bible-truths.com/tongues.htm
Only given in Love,
Suzie
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[*] Previous page
Go to full version