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Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Language/2016 July 26

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July 26

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Constructed language

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How could a newly-invented constructed language be known to public as fast as possible? Litqforviki (talk) 03:01, 26 July 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Call it something with "Star Wars" or "Star Trek". Or even better these days call it "PokéSpeech". And then promote it via facebook, twitter and all that crap. Realwackel (talk) 05:33, 26 July 2016 (UTC)[reply]
Seize power in a large country and enforce it as the new national language. Wymspen (talk) 07:26, 26 July 2016 (UTC)[reply]
Start a religion or cult that mandates its use -- Q Chris (talk) 07:49, 26 July 2016 (UTC)[reply]

So, sorry I was talking about, is there a more, I say, actual way?

Apologies, sometimes we are a bit quick to give facetious answers. First of all I would manage your expectations. Many people have come up with constructed languages which they think are the best and everyone will want to learn. This is extremely unlikely to happen. Reasonable expectations would be one of:
  • to have a language which is of interest to enthusiasts
  • to have a private language if a group of friends and relatives are also intereted
  • For an author to have a fictional language that is realistic, with fans possibly using some phrases and greetings, and a few maybe learning
  • If the language is particularly interesting in some way maybe have a small internet following, with forums using the language.
The first thing I would suggest is to join something like the language creation society. They will be able to comment on your language and offer help. They will also be able to let you know if it really has some special or unique features. -- Q Chris (talk) 09:03, 26 July 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Snotty State

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I'm working on translating the article Mei Quong Tart into Chinese. It refers to his tea room / restaurant in the Queen Victoria Building as the 'snotty state'. What do the two words actually mean in this context? I don't think it means it was covered in snot, literally or figuratively... --PalaceGuard008 (Talk) 10:59, 26 July 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Article vandalism introduced in this edit. Should read "Elite Hall". --Tagishsimon (talk) 11:06, 26 July 2016 (UTC)[reply]
Ah, thanks! --PalaceGuard008 (Talk) 13:21, 26 July 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Strong English accent

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Hello. As a French greco-roman wrestling fan, I was watching at the previous wrestling competition in the 2015 European Games, whose video is available in Youtube and I was wondering what type of English accent has the commentator here, from 02:07:26 : youtu.be/2LCzr2-AcWE?t=2h7m26s

Because of his accent, I have a bit trouble to understand what he says. I'm curious : thanks to his accent, have you an idea on which country did he come from ? I would say that he had a Scottish accent but I'm not sure.

Thank you for your answer. --Scryb (talk) 13:24, 26 July 2016 (UTC)[reply]

He sounds Australian, or possibly New Zealander, to me. Definitely not Scottish. --Viennese Waltz 13:26, 26 July 2016 (UTC)[reply]
Sounds like New Zealand to me (based on my very scientific criteria of "sounds like the guys from Flight of the Conchords" and "does not sound like The Wiggles"...so actually I have no idea). Apparently the European Games were carried on Sky Sports in New Zealand and Seven Network in Australia, but checking their sports commentators doesn't bring up anything useful. Adam Bishop (talk) 14:30, 26 July 2016 (UTC)[reply]
Australian here, almost definitely a New Zealander. Hack (talk) 14:55, 26 July 2016 (UTC)[reply]
The video is not available in NZ, so unable to confirm. Akld guy (talk) 20:25, 26 July 2016 (UTC)[reply]
Listen for the sound in words like "pen" "egg" "ten" - the closer it comes to the "i" of "it" the more certain you can be of dealing with a Kiwi. Conversely, "it" and "shit" tend toward "ut" and "shut"137.205.183.31 (talk) 10:18, 28 July 2016 (UTC)[reply]
Hence Aussies' favourite take-down of Kiwis: "fush and chups". -- Jack of Oz [pleasantries] 23:00, 28 July 2016 (UTC)[reply]
"Horse and chops". --PalaceGuard008 (Talk) 09:42, 29 July 2016 (UTC)[reply]
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