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language, was spelling, artist's statements, and pottery

updated wed 14 apr 99

 

Martin Howard on sun 11 apr 99

We are showing the problems of being a world-wide group, which uses a
minority language. Yes, english (in its various forms) is a minority
language. If we went by numbers, then we should be using mandarin
chinese or Spanish.

However, there is a solution which does not give in to the bully boys of
the USA or the UK. It is Esperanto, the international language.

Are there enough Clayarters to form a sub-group which communicates in
Esperanto?

Regarding spelling, it is easy enough now to set your software to
automatically do a spelling check before sending the posting. We in the
UK have to mentally correct the postings from the USA and Canada, but
often find the meaning eludes us.

If we are purely wanting to chat in regional dialects, then I would
suggest that an international E-Mail group such as ClayArt is not the
most sensible location.

Martin Howard
Esperanto Lecturer
Webb's Cottage Pottery
araneajo@gn.apc.org

Jim Brooks on mon 12 apr 99

Martin.. please check your bricks, be sure you are not a brick shy of a
load. English is spoken all over the world..as a second language to many..
but spoken never the less.,,Esparanto.( or whatever).isnt spoken anyplace. If
after all these years, in spite of the efforts of a small group, it is a
worthless little bit of garbage. Most of us speak English...maybe not
well..but acceptably. So please..drop this effort. Maybe, in four or five
centuries earth will be ready for this....if the water is cleaned up..the air
improved to "breathable", the ozone layer replenished, we havent killed too
many more life forms.. we have learned to control our strong desire to wage
war and kill each other, we don't starve to death, and are not standing room
only.(.at least in this area, we do seem to communicate well !!!! ).. Jim
in Texas. .why wee evan speeke a farm of English hear.....!!

Martin Howard on tue 13 apr 99

Response to Jim Brooks and perhaps others who live out of touch with the
real world.

Every potter uses Gerstley Borate, at least so one would assume that
from reading ClayArt postings. Many, in fact cannot use it because their
circumstances preclude its use; others do not want to use it; others
haven't even heard of it; others cannot get hold of it.

Substitute English/American for GB and set to cone 20 ;-)

or look up Esperanto on the net and fill some of the pin holes in your
current knowledge.

Martin Howard
Webbs Cottage Pottery and Press
Woolpits Road, Great Saling
BRAINTREE
Essex CM7 5DZ
01371 850 423
araneajo@gn.apc.org