Gary Gifford wrote on Sat, Jan 28, 2006 04:46 PM UTC:
MT: Energy crystals, money, what's the difference.
Gary G response: Crystals set up for a magic atmosphere. Also, I cannot
use crystals to buy things in the U.S.
MT: While I agree that dratping isn't exactly the same as promoting, the
concept is close enough.
Gary G response: Dratping is a more precise term for the game being
discussed.
MT: ... coining a new word that's unrelated to anything in the language
-- AND is either almost-unpronouncable or has a silent letter, what's
with that?
Gary G response: Dratp (pronounced 'Drap', not too difficult) How do we
ever get new words? Silent letters- gee whiz, are we to throw out much of
the English language. Look at words like giraffe (crazy 'g') and phone
(ph acting like 'f') etc.
MT: Silent letters are vestiges of pronunciations from earlier times,
what's the point of including one in a new coinage?
Gary G response: It is for a new game with a mysterious atmoshphere. But
if we want to keep asking 'why' we can hit a virtual brick wall fairly
quick. I am learning Russian, I can call a cat a kooshka, and I can say
dobrahdeen and dosvidawnya... but why? Because others know these words
and I can learn them and want to... but I don't have to. Dratping is
another word to my vocabulary. Navia Dratp players understand it. It is
not that hard. Why make a big deal of this game's language?
MT: My aesthetic preferences are admittedly my own, and though I feel I
have good reasons behind them, I don't expect everyone else to share
them.
These things depend on individual judgment, sentiment, and taste. As
I've
already said, it's a fine game.
Gary G response: I am glad you think it is a fine game. I do too. As far
as the game's linguistic aspect, I don't know why some people want to keep
complaining about it.