Comments on: Simlish and Language http://noelfigart.com/blog/2010/01/10/simlish-and-language/ Oh, gosh. I'm not aspiring anymore. I'm a Real Writer! Sat, 19 May 2012 14:15:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Dena Shunra http://noelfigart.com/blog/2010/01/10/simlish-and-language/comment-page-1/#comment-7845 Dena Shunra Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:18:01 +0000 http://noelfigart.com/blog/?p=633#comment-7845 If you want to see linguists coming to blows over a subject, ask "is this a language?" and step back. The problem is that "language" is not a well-defined term. Overall, it sounds like Simlish is a sort of a jargon, which my dictionary defines as "the language, esp. the vocabulary, peculiar to a particular trade, profession, or group." My guess is that the grammar is primarily based on English, and a relexification of American English grammar with words more suitable for Simlife. In very general terms, what distinguishes one language from another is more the grammar than the vocabulary. Of course, some languages use primarily the vocabulary of one language and the grammar of another (I'm thinking of pidgins and creoles, here). As to how limited a thing can be and still be called a language: the first definition of language in my dictionary is "a body of words and the systems for their use common to a people who are of the same community or nation, the same geographical area, or the same cultural tradition" - and Sims are a community. So if he wants to call it a language, he has some claim to it. (Sort of. Only he should be careful about saying that in a community of linguists, who use the word "language" differently.) If you want to see linguists coming to blows over a subject, ask “is this a language?” and step back.

The problem is that “language” is not a well-defined term.

Overall, it sounds like Simlish is a sort of a jargon, which my dictionary defines as “the language, esp. the vocabulary, peculiar to a particular trade, profession, or group.” My guess is that the grammar is primarily based on English, and a relexification of American English grammar with words more suitable for Simlife.

In very general terms, what distinguishes one language from another is more the grammar than the vocabulary. Of course, some languages use primarily the vocabulary of one language and the grammar of another (I’m thinking of pidgins and creoles, here).

As to how limited a thing can be and still be called a language: the first definition of language in my dictionary is “a body of words and the systems for their use common to a people who are of the same community or nation, the same geographical area, or the same cultural tradition” – and Sims are a community. So if he wants to call it a language, he has some claim to it. (Sort of. Only he should be careful about saying that in a community of linguists, who use the word “language” differently.)

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