> Grant Callaghan wrote:
> >On Thu, 5 Jun 1997, Robin Faichney wrote:
> >>
> >> There is all the difference in the world between formal
> >> and natural languages. But this isn't the place to
> >> pursue the issue, as it has zilch to do with memetics.
> >>
> >Only if you think that words and sentence structure are not memes.
>
> Now that would be stupid, wouldn't it? So stupid,
> in fact, I assumed you'd guess it wasn't what I
> meant. As usual, in such cases, I assumed too
> much.
Ah. So you think it does have zilch to do with memetics.
>
> Both natural and formal languages are composed of
> (and are) memes. But not all issues between memes
> are usefully addressed via memetics -- otherwise
> that would be the tool for absolutely every conceptual
> problem. However, I stand ready to be corrected as
> to the relevance of memetics in this particular case.
> Please tell me, if you can, how it helps in comparing
> natural and formal languages.
>
There is no basic difference between natural and formal languages
from a memtic point of view. I don't know exactly what distinctions
you are making, but if you want to show me the light my eyes are open.
Grant
P.S. Was that a touch of arrogance I saw in that first paragraph?
Tsk. Tsk.