It's been some time since I mentioned anything about Silyon*, my first conlang (created/constructed language). Since my last update on the project, I've only really added a few works to its lexicon. For the most part, it's in the past. There were some issues I couldn't figure out and/or things I didn't like.

I've started on creating a second language, still unnamed (I don't want to name it until I can pick a name that means something in the language). I'm still trying to figure out exactly what direction I want to take it. I've been tempted to create it more vocalic language (evidenced by carrying a Hawaiian dictionary around recently). This way I can create lots of vowels next to each other (as Pablo David Flores points out in his How to Construct a Language, "a word like Kilauea is not possible in many languages."

I still like the morphology of Iñupiaq (a northern Alaskan dialect of Inuit), which can be seen in the synthetic nature of my last language. This means my new language might be something similar to a combination of Hawaiian and Iñupiaq, although with a different root system (i.e., the actual "words" [roots] won't come from either, but will imitate them and their structure]. If I focus my efforts more on creating an Iñupiaq-like morphology, there's a very good chance my language will end up like Silyon. I'm not necessarily opposed to creating a "Reformed Silyon" language, because I would like to keep working on my first language.

I've also had thoughts about creating a more isolating language, simply to experiment with a different type of morphology. In this way, this new language would probably end up being more similar to Hawaiian, English, and Chinese (as far as grammar is concerned).

Basically, I'm still trying to decide what my "vision" is for this language. Once I can get that, it shouldn't be too difficult. I do have the phonetic inventory picked out, consisting of 11 consonants and 3 vowels (compared with 15 consonants, 7 vowels in Silyon; 8 consonants, 5+ vowels in Hawaiian; 21 consonants, 3+ vowels in Iñupiaq)**. In addition to the three vowels in this language, there is also a differentiation of vowel length. This means that "munga" and "muunga" could be considered two different words (or "latu" and "laatu"). I may abandon this idea, but it occurs in both Hawaiian and all Inuit dialects and generally seems interesting to me.

I did actually get some work on this language the other day. I've created a few words (won't post them yet- there still "experimental," just so I can play around with them). It's actually amazing at how I was able to get inspired at the new pub in Las Cruces. Yes- Las Cruces has a new pub: Brigid's Cross Irish Pub, located off of Picacho Hills Dr. It's actually pretty nice. I had my favorite, a white Russian. I even got to listen to a bit of Irish music: an Irish accordionist came in to play for the manager. I'm looking forward to their grand opening special the first Saturday in October.


*Note: Previously, I used the tag newlanguage or "new language," but have since renamed it to Silyon
**I use the terms 5+ and 3+ vowels because it depends on how you define a distinctive vowel and/or what a particular phoneme is.

New Mexico, over the next few days, will be exciting in the way of personal/commerical space flight. The X Prize Cup will be having several events in Las Cruces and Alamogordo.

One of three events scheduled in Las Cruces include the (first annual) Symposium on Space Flight at NMSU. This is tomorrow (Thursday). There will be many speakers discussing the idea of personal and commercial space flight. Sadly, it costs $25 for students and $65 for adults. I won't be going to that for that reason (I also have class most of the day). More information can be found here.

The second event is called the "Countdown to the X Prize Cup" and will be held at the Las Cruces International Airport {international apparently) on Sunday. There will be music, food, models of some spacecrafts, demonstration flights, simulators, etc. Lots of stuff which probably costs extra money after admission. Admission is $8 for adults, $4 for stduents (ages 13-18). If you buy the tickets online, however, you get $2 off. I will be going to this. Yeehaw.

There's another event I may or may not go to. During the halftime of the NMSU game on Saturday night, there will be some presentation about the X Cup Prize. That might be nice to see.

For more information about these (or other events), check out the activites schedule.

I just pre-ordered Civilization 4 at EB Games (free shipping if you pick it up in-store!). I was originally planning on waiting to buy Civ 4, but there is a special "Pre-order Edition" (which includes a CD-soundtrack, a spiral-bound manual instead of the usual-type, tech tree, and keyboard laytout. It's all pretty trivial, but it does come in a special box. More importantly, it doesn't cost any extra.).

In my city's newspaper, people have been calling in to the "Sound off!" section saying that if anyone's offended by the city logo (with the crosses on it), they should move. I think that is completely ridiculous. Most people in the city probably agree that the crosses on the logo aren't religious- but rather, put on for a historical context (not to mention the name of the city means "the croses"). I do see, however, that having three crosses could potentially be seen as a religious act. I think those who are [considering] taking the city to court over it have merit. I think it's great that instead of just being offended, they're doing something they believe is right. They see a potential injustice and are trying to change that. Why should anyone live in a place they are offended by? They shouldn't. Should they move? I don't think that would solve anything. The potential injustice would still be around. I, therefore, applaud those individuals because they are standing up for their beliefs- even though I don't agree with them.

In my city, there are two "major" issues regarding religion and government:

Prayer at city counsel meetings

The city logo, which features three crosses

( Let there be religion. Or not. In government )