Isaac Ben Harush | Re: [LFN] Use of the infinitive

• Autor: Isaac Ben Harush (“isaac_benharush”)
• Tema: Re: [LFN] Use of the infinitive
• Data: 2007-12-04 01:58
• Mesaje: 2440 (a supra, presedente, seguente)

> My personal opinion -- and it is only that! -- is that
> the infinitive construction is almost never, perhaps
> never, necessary. In my personal opinion -- and George
> Boeree and I have differed on this -- is that LFN has
> four inflections -- one noun inflection (plural) and
> three verb (infinitive and two participles, present and
> past). In my own opinion, these three verb inflections
> spoil the creole-like nature of LFN. I have also noticed
> that some writers of LFN, especially those whose native
> language is English, seem to be obsessive about marking
> tense of verbs, just as in their native language, even if
> it is not necessary from context. Generally I think that
> LFN is a respectable auxiliary language, if only its
> (currently) few users could break out of their native
> language habits and realize that not all the world does things
> the way English does them.

In my few attempts at LFN writing, I try to keep its creole
nature in mind. This includes:

- Writing simple sentences. If necessary, breaking complex
  constructions into a series of simpler sentences and
  clauses.

- Marking tense only when it's not understood by other
  words or by context. So, "I will visit you tomorrow"   "Me visita tu doman". No need for "va" here. (*)

- Also, if using tenses, try to stick with the simple forms,
  or express nuances with extra words.

- Not using the infinitive, if the meaning is clear.

etc.. I hope that with usage I will be able to idenify some
more opportunities to simplify my expression.

(*) ... Or is it "Me visita tu a doman"? I always have trouble
  with the preposition "a".

Isaac