As a side note to this topic, I plan to attend a talk by Lera Boroditsky at LongNow.org 10/26. Such talks are available in video after they are presented (and members can stream them as they are given).
http://www.longnow.org/seminars/02010/oct/26/how-language-shapes-thought/ Since my first encounters with APL in 1967 I have felt (and said) that it is a different way of thinking. The idea of language shaping thought seems very central to the appeal (or dislike) of APL and related languages. Interesting that the topic is becoming more "real world". - joey At 10:28 -0400 2010/10/17, linda falkoff wrote: >Dear Forum (feel free to move to different list if appropriate): > >Following up on Stephen's much appreciated Vector link, I find Prof. Lera >Boroditsky's' work fascinating; perhaps she's here or otherwise we'll link >up. (Also, all, 4 of my own grandparents were from Minsk). > >On topic of software linguistics and languages in general, I met with >Chomsky years at Vassar (compsci faculty) for a stroll then plus later at >MIT years ago thinking a somewhat-here-related sabbatical with him might >work out; the timing was not great. However, avoiding the thought/language >circularity potential (for now)... > >What lies beneath? > >Was Ken and R U all on to things basic and seminal ... my own belief (hence >claim) is that survival-urges prompt piaget-type responses (mapping out a >world that seems navigable by franming claims about "it" and "self") in very >early years, but recall Chomsky may have posited as from 'Conception'. Then >there're Jung's forms, basic nl grammars, etc ... but stages in existence or >potential existence may proceed as well. > >What did Ken think he was on to? What do you think? > >(Or is sticking "to the surface" more attractive, doable, rewarding, >sustainable). > >With warm regards, LDMF. >Respectful Interfaces Director and Rep. to U.N. of World Education >Fellowship. > >On Fri, Oct 1, 2010 at 1:37 PM, Roger Hui <[email protected]> wrote: > >> http://www.jsoftware.com/papers/InductiveMethod.htm >> talks about the teaching of APL, based on a close study >> of the Berlitz method and other methods of teaching >> natural languages. >> >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: Roger Hui <[email protected]> >> Date: Friday, October 1, 2010 8:37 >> Subject: Re: [Jgeneral] Looking for links - online or off - between J and >> natural language (example: English). >> To: General forum <[email protected]> >> >> > Welcome to the J Forums, Linda. >> > >> > As far as Ken's work, there isn't much explicitly written >> > on the subject. I know of the following items: >> > >> > - http://keiapl.org/anec/#algebra >> > from "Algebra: An Algorithmic Treatment", 1972. >> > >> > - He modeled the organization of the dictionary part >> > of "J Introduction and Dictionary" >> > http://www.jsoftware.com/help/dictionary/contents.htm >> > and before that "A Dictionary of APL", >> > http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=36983.36984 >> > on the organization of an English dictionary, >> > in particular the American Heritage Dictionary of the >> > English Language. (Earlier versions were called >> > "A Dictionary of the APL Language" and "The ISI >> > [Iverson Software Inc.] Dictionary of J") >> > >> > - Of course, he uses noun/verb/adverb etc. >> > where more traditionally in this context the >> > terms array/function/operator are used. >> > This has been very helpful as for example most >> > every one gets "adverb" (run quickly, eat quickly, ...; >> > run quickly, run slowly, run directly, ...) whereas >> > "operator" tends to be confusing and mysterious. >> > >> > >> > >> > ----- Original Message ----- >> > From: linda falkoff <[email protected]> >> > Date: Friday, October 1, 2010 7:43 >> > Subject: [Jgeneral] Looking for links - online or off - between >> > J and natural language (example: English). >> > To: [email protected] > > > Cc: [email protected] >> > >> > > Best wishes up front - >> > > >> > > and can you please share some links you like on the topic of J >> > > and natural >> > > language, English or otherwise? >> > > Sorry, post is redundant with email subject line. >> > > >> > > > > > > Many thanks, LDMF, *Respectful Interfaces*. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm
