Loglan vs. Lojban
What's the Difference?
Loglan and Lojban are both constructed languages that were created with the goal of being logical and unambiguous. However, there are some key differences between the two. Loglan was created in the 1950s and was later revised to become Lojban in the 1980s. Lojban has a more complex grammar and a larger vocabulary than Loglan, making it more suitable for expressing a wider range of ideas. Additionally, Lojban has a more active community of speakers and learners, with online resources and forums dedicated to the language. Overall, while both languages share similar goals, Lojban is seen as a more developed and practical language for communication.
Comparison
| Attribute | Loglan | Lojban |
|---|---|---|
| Creator | James Cooke Brown | Robert A. Heinlein |
| Year of creation | 1955 | 1987 |
| Grammar | Prescriptive | Descriptive |
| Phonology | Based on English | Phonetic |
| Word formation | Compounding | Root words and affixes |
Further Detail
History
Loglan was created in the late 1950s by James Cooke Brown, a linguist and science fiction author. It was designed as an experiment in language construction to test the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. Loglan was later revised and renamed as Lojban in the 1980s by the Logical Language Group. Lojban was created with the goal of being a more culturally neutral and logically consistent language than Loglan.
Phonetics and Phonology
Loglan has a phonetic inventory that is similar to English, with 24 consonants and 6 vowels. It has a simple syllable structure and stress is placed on the penultimate syllable. Lojban, on the other hand, has a phonetic inventory that is more diverse, with 29 consonants and 8 vowels. It has a more complex syllable structure and stress is placed on the penultimate syllable as well.
Grammar
Loglan has a relatively simple grammar, with a subject-verb-object word order and a system of affixes to indicate tense, aspect, and mood. Lojban, on the other hand, has a more complex grammar, with a free word order and a system of particles to indicate tense, aspect, and mood. Lojban also has a system of sumti and brivla to indicate arguments and predicates in a sentence.
Vocabulary
Loglan's vocabulary is largely derived from English, Chinese, and Hindi, with some words created specifically for the language. Lojban's vocabulary is derived from a wider range of languages, including Chinese, Hindi, Russian, and Arabic, as well as some words created specifically for the language. Both languages have mechanisms for creating new words through compounding and affixation.
Community
Loglan has a small community of speakers and enthusiasts, with most communication happening online. Lojban has a larger and more active community, with regular meetups, conventions, and online forums for discussion. Both languages have dedicated websites, textbooks, and other resources for learning and practicing the language.
Usage
Loglan was originally created as a tool for testing linguistic theories and has not been widely used for everyday communication. Lojban, on the other hand, has been used for a variety of purposes, including scientific research, fiction writing, and philosophical discussions. Lojban has also been used in artificial intelligence research and as a tool for teaching logic and critical thinking.
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