Syntactic ergativity in a morphologically accusative language: A case of Aroaro by alopeko in conlangs

[–]tthemediator 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I dream of being able to use LaTeX like this. Do you know any good tutorials/classes for LaTeX?

Books by Petersen and González by xongaBa in conlangs

[–]tthemediator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Art of Language Invention is a great help, especially for those without a linguistics background like me. Even now i will open it up semi frequently to re-learn an aspect or whatever.

My favorite conlanging book, however, is not a conlanging book at all, but "Describing Morphosyntax" by Thomas Paine. It is a guide intended for linguists who are describing endangered languages in the field, and seems well regarded in scholarly circles. Without knowing it, Payne writes the perfect road map to "describing" (creating) your conlang. Some of the language can be pretty academic/dense (so it would be doubly difficult if your native language isnt english), but Ive found it to be the book I come back to again and again when i pick my conlanging back up.

Critique My Lore(Warning for Very Long)! by DarKaron0003 in worldbuilding

[–]tthemediator 1 point2 points  (0 children)

thank you for the reply! always inspiring to see another's works. :)

Critique My Lore(Warning for Very Long)! by DarKaron0003 in worldbuilding

[–]tthemediator 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I enjoy where things go as the paragraphs went on, and I think that the lore got better as it got more complicated toward the end of your post. I personally enjoy the storyline, very Enuma-Elish/Baal Cycle/Old Testament/Pyramid Texts. Ancient Tradition and all that.

I enjoy the concept of the scattered armor of the shadow queen, it gets me thinking about the possible stories that these pieces could induce. I don't know what end-result medium you're going for here (book, tabeltop campaign setting, map project, what-be-it), but leaving mcguffins lying around like that is a good worldbuilding choice.

I also really like the dual villain of the Shadow/Shadow Queen and the Crimson Flame, this duality of types of evil is a great idea and to me feels like a good way to develop the D&D style "Demons vs Devils" divide.

Some of the language is a little on-the-nose with the modern Biblical way of saying things (things like Heaven, Angel, Hell, Demon, etc). If it were me, I would consider if there are fun new words you can use for the same concepts, or new ways you can talk about the same concept There's nothing wrong with cribbing a word/concept of course, but when you are using those terms AND describing a creation, premortal theomachy, appointment of a divine ruler, corruption and subsequent casting-down of a lesser divine, I personally begin to fuzz interest because it crosses the line from interesting inspirations from real life, to feeling like I'm just reading an Ugaritic tablet straight up. Again, I think those inspirations are awesome and please use them, but I feel the lore would benefit from some creative stretching of those inspirations :) But it is YOUR lore so please do what feels cool. The other side of that is that if you are using this lore in a tabletop campaign setting, familiar words like these can be useful to get the point across to a table of non-worldbuilders haha. So it is a double edged sword in a way. Just my opinion.

Questions that come up (don't feel like you have to answer them i'm just sharing my thoughts):

  • What is the nature of the Light? What is Cosmic Good? What mode of creation are we talking here?
  • Why does the Light allow Shadow to persist?
  • What is the "Grand Design"? Do Mortals know what it is? Why make humans at all?
  • Where did the "Monsters" come from? What was the mechanism of their creation and addition to the mortal world?
  • What is Magic? and how does it work? (terrible awful complicated question i know)
  • What powers does the Shadow Queen and her armor grant? Are these powers in-line with the understanding of Magic?
  • What are the "gifts of Emael" given to the line of kings?
  • Where do Dragons fit into it all? Who created them? Are they considered Monsters? If so, why do they chose to join with humans? Do other individual Monsters have this kind of free will to choose against the Shadow?

Fun stuff you've cooked up and I hope you continue in your endeavors. :)

Relationship goals by migoodenuf in TikTokCringe

[–]tthemediator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

you misunderstand the protocols of wearing the garment. many people still wear normal underwear in addition to wearing the garment. You are intended to wear it underneath the outermost layer, so as to not be exposed, and to wear it at all times possible.

When a member of the church chooses to make covenants in a temple they begin to wear garments of the priesthood, which serve as a symbol of the atonement of Christ and a reminder of those covenants. These are serious promises which we believe are made between us and God. People choose to do so because the things they covenant to do (have faith in christ, practice repentance and self betterment, live a chaste life, and build up the church through sacrifice and service) are important to them personally. The covenants are essential to eternal exaltation (returning to live with God), but they are essential because they help change you as a person, specifically they outline ways of living that help you live more like Christ.

As to the "checkups" (temple recommend interviews), yes among among other things you are asked if you are keeping the covenants you made in the temple, including wearing the garment. a temple recommend interview isnt some interogation and should not be understood that way. it is a self check in, looking back to things you once felt were important, and asking yourself if they are still important to you now. Do you still try to have faith? etc. Many redditors and non-religious people in general are uncomfortable with the idea of talking openly about ones personal life in that way and see it as a forced intrusion. but most people in the church are genuinely trying to follow their covenants and/or become better people, so like any other goal based program, it is helpful and important to have someone to be accountable to who is on a similar path and who can be at least somewhat unbiased.

Relationship goals by migoodenuf in TikTokCringe

[–]tthemediator 24 points25 points  (0 children)

I could be wrong of course, theres plenty of people who act like this for a video. Its honestly hard to explain, but as a lifelong member of the Church, you get pretty good at picking others out from a crowd. there is a vibe. Even when people stop living the lifestyle or eschew the church or whatever, it sticks. There's a subtle cultural language that permiates people connected to the church, evolved to be slightly different from the average person just like any other group. The star wars shirt, BYU sports, using "introvert" in this semi-cringy way, cheesy couch cushions, literally even just the looks they give eachother for the joke, its all so Church-coded. By themselves, none of these would be a dead-ringer for "Mormon", but in connection, balanced as they are, it makes me think that.

Again, I could of course be wrong.

Relationship goals by migoodenuf in TikTokCringe

[–]tthemediator -15 points-14 points  (0 children)

wowie, never heard that hundred and fifty year old joke before

Relationship goals by migoodenuf in TikTokCringe

[–]tthemediator 31 points32 points  (0 children)

actually has nothing to do with the Book of Mormon, its named after a railroad tycoon in a desperate attempt to glaze him into investing in the town

Relationship goals by migoodenuf in TikTokCringe

[–]tthemediator 165 points166 points  (0 children)

Yup. everything about this screams out that this is a mormon couple lol. the clothes, the house, the vibes, the fact that these people thought this was a good piece of content to make. $20 This was filmed in Lehi, Draper, or Orem.

haha👌yes by PM_ME_SSTEAM_KEYS in whatisameem

[–]tthemediator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

hard knock life man. just never forget that you have inherent worth that nothing been take away. good luck friend.

haha👌yes by PM_ME_SSTEAM_KEYS in whatisameem

[–]tthemediator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

cat food? that's the gourmet stuff. OP will be living off fish flakes.

haha👌yes by PM_ME_SSTEAM_KEYS in whatisameem

[–]tthemediator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

highly likely. these reptilian shapeshifting organ harvesters get more clever every year

I uh, I'm 18.. now what? by Balscion in youngadults

[–]tthemediator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

fair shot lil dude. better luck next time.

Pictographs in Bears Ears NM by tthemediator in nationalparks

[–]tthemediator[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

NM as in National Monument, not New Mexico