Naming Martian Settlements 2 - Continued from previous thread

Josh Cryer · 2003-08-31 00:43:45

Why wouldn't "terran" be both a noun and an adjective?

I should probably point out that I failed english and my rationalization is pretty poor.

BTW, thanks for the explination about the other suffixes, very enlightening. I'm always getting preached at by British English speakers as their spelling being the "true form."

Spider-Man · 2003-08-31 02:25:53

Why wouldn't "terran" be both a noun and an adjective?

I have no idea. I thought that's what you were trying to say. *Shrugs.*

You write quite well for having failed English; worry not, this isn't the most important stuff in the world. And you express yourself very well; maybe your teacher was just a hack.

BTW, thanks for the explination about the other suffixes, very enlightening. I'm always getting preached at by British English speakers as their spelling being the "true form."

You're quite welcome; oh yah, you can't let those Britons tell you what's what. I love 'em dearly, but sometimes they need to evaluate the etymology they claim to be such natural-born masters of.

Shaun Barrett · 2003-09-01 05:15:07

Spider-Man, you make me regret anew that when faced with a choice in highschool between Latin and German, I chose German.
In retrospect, I've often thought a better knowledge of Latin would have been far more entertaining, since it would have allowed me to enjoy my own language more. I'm always fascinated by the origin of words and, as you point out, so much of English comes from Latin.
I'm envious of your scholarship in language!

Thanks for the illuminating tour of Latin words and suffixes and welcome once more to New Mars.

Pax vobiscum! ... (About the best I can do with severely limited knowledge!! )

Surferosad · 2003-09-01 10:49:39

How about "Not the Earth" ? Just kidding...

Spider-Man · 2003-09-01 13:40:36

Actually, I didn't have the option in high school either, Shaun; I had to choose German (or French or Spanish) as well. But, as I've alluded to before, I studied Italian on my own before I got to college; and with that basing in the lovely Romance language, I have been able to gain a rudimentary comprehension of Latin (which is much more complex and difficult than German, so don't feel too bad about your choice; besides, German's a great language), and look forward to studying it more in school. Still, what I learned can easily be discovered by anyone who picks up a Latin to English dictionary (and perhaps a first year Latin reader), and even a standard English dictionary like Webster; there's nothing special about what I've found.

And you're quite welcome, my friend; thank you again for your warm welcome to this delightful forum.

A.J.Armitage · 2003-09-07 18:03:26

Spider-Man;

However, "terran", "solan", "lunan", and other such invented variants have one key disadvantage: they do not exist.

If they don't exist, why exactly are you arguing against them?

Spider-Man · 2003-09-07 20:06:45

Because my other colleagues, if you've read above, are arguing for them, Mr. Armitage, and we were engaging in a friendly debate regarding the validity of such invented terms.

clark · 2003-09-08 09:13:00

"Because my other colleagues, if you've read above, are arguing for them, Mr. Armitage, and we were engaging in a friendly debate regarding the validity of such invented terms."

He speaks in the invented terms of a language derived from one now long dead. Fear not, a few million miles, and a few more revolutions around our sun ought to put it into perspective.

:laugh:

A.J.Armitage · 2003-09-08 12:08:40

Spider-Man;

Because my other colleagues, if you've read above, are arguing for them, Mr. Armitage, and we were engaging in a friendly debate regarding the validity of such invented terms.

But how can they argue for terms that don't exist? Wouldn't they have to exist for you to have a friendly debate over them?

clark · 2003-09-08 12:20:29

"But how can they argue for terms that don't exist? Wouldn't they have to exist for you to have a friendly debate over them?"

Incredible the refinement others employ to pick apart another.

Must the gods exist in order to debate their existence?

Only a fine debater would prompt that existence is born from argument! Or a narcistic one.

A.J.Armitage · 2003-09-08 14:28:26

clark;

Must the gods exist in order to debate their existence?

I don't know, but it seems that if you're going to deny that Zeus exists, you're going to have use the word "Zeus". What presents a problem is denying the word Zeus exists. If I say, "The word Zeus does not exist" I just used the word I say doesn't exist, right?

But here you're pulling things off, as you usually do, from a simple point (if people use a word, that word exists) to your absurd coils of illogic.

A.J.Armitage · 2003-09-08 16:06:38

clark;

And dear friend, when you have finished here, what will have been the point you have proven?

That the word "terran" exists, and thus, Spider-Man's argument is reduced to the idea that a word ought not to exist if it has a synonym that existed first, which is obviously silly.

Spider-Man · 2003-09-08 22:28:30

Great stuff, Clark! That had me laughing outloud...

Spider-Man;
But how can they argue for terms that don't exist? Wouldn't they have to exist for you to have a friendly debate over them?

You do grow increasingly tiresome, friend...

As Clark put it so poetically, a thing needn't exist to be debated. You and I could discuss and argue about a pegasus being prettier and more elegant than a unicorn, for hours and hours and hours until we're both horse (haha). But that doesn't mean either thing exists.

A better analogy would be to the proposal of, say, Cindy putting forth a very interesting idea for a new kind of heavy launch vehicle. Shaun engages her in a discussion regarding the validity of certain systems of her proposed design, and they have a friendly debate on the subject. They both speak hypothetically on how this engine would perform in real life. But the engine does not exist.

And nor does the word "Terran", yet, as an actual, accepted, non-slang word. That does not mean we can't talk about the possibility of adding it, of course.

The essentials of the far above discussion were that my colleagues were using a word I did not find appealing as a replacement for, as I opined, a better term that already existed that was an accepted, true, ancient word. To me, it seemed unnecessary, and so I reminded them of the lack of contemporary acceptance or necessity for such an invented term. Thank you for stirring up a debate which had already ended quite successfully without your intervention.

Perhaps, since you do like to take things so very literally, I should have phrased it with more elaboration: "They do not exist as real words".

Are you happy now? Or would you rather start another pointless argument?

A.J.Armitage · 2003-09-09 01:11:28

You do grow increasingly tiresome, friend...
As Clark put it so poetically, a thing needn't exist to be debated. You and I could discuss and argue about a pegasus being prettier and more elegant than a unicorn, for hours and hours and hours until we're both horse (haha). But that doesn't mean either thing exists.

Alright then, neither Terrans nor Terrestrials exist. You happy now?

And nor does the word "Terran", yet, as an actual, accepted, non-slang word. That does not mean we can't talk about the possibility of adding it, of course.

Since plenty of native speakers use the word and are understood, it evidently is actual and accepted. Just not accepted by you.

As for slang, I concede your point. I always hear gangbangers saying things like, "Yo, how my Terrans hangin?" (Not that their homies are Terran, Terrans being classed with the Pegasus.)

Perhaps, since you do like to take things so very literally, I should have phrased it with more elaboration: "They do not exist as real words".

Exept that they obviously do.

Are you happy now? Or would you rather start another pointless argument?

So now, not only do you claim for yourself the right to denounce words out of existence, you also claim the right to end an argument in the middle, so that any reply is the start of a new one.

Well, no. I'm CONTINUING it, and you're an arrogant buffoon for denying that. Further, your only point is to prove how smart and learned you are by arguing people into accepting obvious stupidities.

Spider-Man · 2003-09-09 01:45:19

Well, no. I'm CONTINUING it, and you're an arrogant buffoon for denying that. Further, your only point is to prove how smart and learned you are by arguing people into accepting obvious stupidities.

This is such nonsense... I find your deliberate attempts to incense me unbearably childish. Ever since we were on this forum at the same time, you have hounded me and antagonized me at every instance. I will not fight you anymore.

I am done having discourse with you. I will prefer civilized conversation with the others.

clark · 2003-09-09 09:11:09

"You and I could discuss and argue about a pegasus being prettier and more elegant than a unicorn, for hours and hours and hours until we're both horse (haha)."

Silly. Everyone knows that unicorns are much prettier.

Of course Spiderman, I do have a question for you now, have you ever found a word that actually existed?

Think about it.

Spider-Man · 2003-09-09 10:15:07

Silly. Everyone knows that unicorns are much prettier.

True.

Of course Spiderman, I do have a question for you now, have you ever found a word that actually existed?
Think about it.

Ooh... that's deep, Clark. I'll get back to you on it.

Josh Cryer · 2003-09-09 13:29:59

I've used the word Terran for quite awhile, to refer to people who live on Earth.

And I have never had anyone ask me, "What do you mean by 'terran?'"

Fortunately language is quite understandable given context. And regardless of peoples pedantic nature, word usage will continue to evolve. I suspect that 'terran' will indeed become "part of our language" because 'terrestrial' is quite long-winded, and has a broader meaning than just "a person who lives on Earth."

clark · 2003-09-09 13:34:04

Considering some of the people I have known, I think Earththing is more apt.

Josh Cryer · 2003-09-09 13:36:20

Certainly. Surely no one would be confused by the word "earthling."

clark · 2003-09-09 13:42:51

Actually, if you must know, Earthling is a derragotory term for a back-woods Terran savage. Your general ignorant unwashed louts.

Josh Cryer · 2003-09-09 13:46:38

Pfft, what else can I expect than insults coming from a lowly Martian born human.

clark · 2003-09-09 13:54:54

"Pfft, what else can I expect than insults coming from a lowly Martian born human."

Ah, but even my lowly birth ascends from the same puddle of goo as you. The only difference is in life, for I have risen far higher.

Josh Cryer · 2003-09-09 13:59:30

Ahh, but if you were to come to your true home of origin, you would be crushed like a tiny fly.

clark · 2003-09-09 14:03:05

"Ahh, but if you were to come to your true home of origin, you would be crushed like a tiny fly"

Truer words were never spoken. Now let me impart some Mars-an wisdom,

'Home is a place you come from, a place you take with you, and it is the brightest of all stars.'

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#76 2003-08-31 00:43:45

Re: Naming Martian Settlements 2 - Continued from previous thread

#77 2003-08-31 02:25:53

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#78 2003-09-01 05:15:07

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#79 2003-09-01 10:49:39

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#80 2003-09-01 13:40:36

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#81 2003-09-07 18:03:26

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#82 2003-09-07 20:06:45

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#83 2003-09-08 09:13:00

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#87 2003-09-08 16:06:38

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#88 2003-09-08 22:28:30

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