h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A589193
Hey, it appears you can recommend your own! And I am, it's technical (ish) but I believe it's also interesting.

shouldn't that be over at
http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A583193

Hello
Just taken a look at the entry via the correct link(second link), sorry that was for the people that follow.

I have a couple of comments, I think it is a bit too condensed, and I feel that it should start by explaining that for society to be created it is essential to have language, For example:
"For society to be created it is essential to have language, this is evident even in the animal kingdom. Each animal has a predetermined set of actions or sounds that convey a particular message to the group. For example the mear cat, it has a different alarm signal for each type of preditor."
I think this leads nicely into children and the inate communication of crying for attention or to highlight a need.

I'm really sorry if this seems a bit nit picky, but I think it may need a clearer start point.

I also apologise if this treads on your toes that wasn't intended.

Researcher PSG

p.s. Is it worth mentioning the first written language was created to seal pacts between people?

Condensed Version?? Will there ever be an extended version (I hope so, and am looking forward to read it)?

If so, then the addendum 'condensed version' should go into the title. If no, then it should disappear from the body. If you intend to expand *this* one, then I'm afraid it's not ready for PR yet.

Anyways. Very interesting topic. A very good start.

HELL

Thanks very much for your comments - there was a fuller version, but when I was posting it, it got lost. So, I posted the condensed version, was going to follow up with the full version, but I've (sort of) moved on, as they say. I should do a full version, I know that. I do not object to your 'nit picking'at all, it's constructive, thanks, Researcher PSG.

I was under the impression the first "written" langauge was developed to record what was until that point oral traditions IE history...

Well as I have been led to understand it, in ancient times when people made a deal over exchange of goods they had tokens to represent the items each side was going to give to the other. They sealed these tokens in balls of clay to stop tampering. And at the time the deal comes to act out they break open the clay balls and see what tokens are contained, and so who has to give what. Now to stop people trying to pull a switch or swindle they pressed copys of the tokens contained in the ball onto the surface before it hardened, so when the duplicates where removed it left the marks representing the tokens contained, the first writing.

Researcher PSG

Yes, it's a bit too short. Any change of getting the full version back?

I'd like to work on it, probably will...

Good, it deserves work.

There was a lot of erudite input on this topic in an old thread "what was the first language?". Not sure if it's back yet.

Hey, Della! Are further revisions on this one still in the works?


Mikey

Seconded! I've just seen this and so never did see the original longer version, but I would like to!

How about it?

Nice article!
It would be nice if there was some history of language in it! Also what exactly they have been discovering in the field of language with gender etc. would flesh it out. Something that would be really nice is some views on why language is such an innate need in humans.
Cheers!

Ideas, thanks very much! I'll get on to it in the weekend, if I can.

Well, call me embarassed! I spent the morning looking for my notes, and seem to have lost them... Never fear, I shall find them, and work on this on the weekend, as stated..Monday at the latest.

Hee hee! Isn't it true that everything is everywhere but where you put it! I would give you some helpful sites, but I don't want the moderaters to eat them...

I am suffering serious brainfade - I looked for my references last night - but I shall prevail! I will find it, or look in the Pubic Library for other stuff. Never fear

Pubic Library? The mind boggles!

Well, she says philosophically, you make do with what is to hand... Point is, I did (just now, 11.11 hrs, 13/11/01) add some stuff to it! Let me know what you think. D.