The Earth Alliance Fact Book

[Max_Writer]

I haven't had a chance to do more than skim this book yet but what I've seen looks fine. I especially like the ship sketches and pictures (I think they are to scale but don't remember). Yes, again with the ships from Max. Sorry, it's what I love.

 

[Dr Goth]

ronbogard: Oh, but of course. I think that is the only way to use them.

Enlightened Bystander: Well if you put it that way... . I still see the organisation as founded with the Coal and Steel Union and then transformed through the EEC and the EC into the EU. So the Union wasn't so much founded in '92 as created or altered. The United States have gone through similar conversions even though they've never changed their name. They're still considered founded in 1776.

Traveller-61: You've very nearly convinced me...

Max_Writer: Yeah... big ships... hmmm... You do like your ships, right? :wink:

Todays question for ya: What languages are spoken in Switzerland? :mrgreen:

/Your Dr in everything Goth

 

[Jal]

Todays question for ya: What languages are spoken in Switzerland?

if you mean official languages as recognised by the state, i would say greman, italian, french..... and i think they might have an indeginious language/dialect of some form as well, not 100% sure about the last one though.

 

[Ross O'Gallagher]

jal: You are correct regarding the official languages of Switzerland. There is, indeed, another 'semi-official' language spoken mainly by a small part of the population in the southeast known as Romansh. However, Switzerland absorbed many foreign workers after WWII, and with the country's financial/economic ties there are probably few major languages that aren't spoken by someone living there.

 

[MrFilthyIke]

You'd think with an aunt who's Swiss-German (or is it German-Swiss :wink: ) I'd know. She told me the languages once, but being its family I was probably ignoring them at the time. :roll:

 

[Dr Goth]

Well, as my day is very soon as at an end I'll give you the answer and you're right. The four official languages are: German (or Schwitzerdütsch I believe), French, Italian and Raeto-Romance (don't know the native word for that).

It sure as heck aint Swiss... :roll:

Thank you and good night.

/Dr Goth

 

[CARTMAG]

and Dr. Goth maby in 100 years I will be.. who knows.... thats the actual point here... this is JMS's view on what the future could look like.. that dosent mean WILL look like.... if you read the EA book alot has happened from NOW till 100 years from now to change the face of things...

 

[Dr Goth]

and Dr. Goth maby in 100 years I will be.. who knows.... thats the actual point here... this is JMS's view on what the future could look like.. that dosent mean WILL look like.... if you read the EA book alot has happened from NOW till 100 years from now to change the face of things...

Well... er... no. 100 years are equivalent to 3 generations which, in a historical perspective, is a very short time.

The Babylon 5 universe is JMS's view but this particular book isn't. I have throughout the years found that he is very knowledgeable and always does his research. I don't for a second believe that he himself has read this book and approved it. I also don't believe that the person or persons who have approved read it through. They have much better things to do, such as coming up with new ideas for TV series.

A Swiss language spoken in Switzerland 150 years from now is not a vision of a future to be, it's a mistake. An easy mistake if you're not familiar with the somewhat special ethnic situation in the country, but still a mistake.

If JMS would approach me and say: "Hey you, Dr Whatever. I actually DID read the EA Fact Book. Every single page and I loved it." I would answer: "Oh, my god. It's really you. I'm not worthy." He would then continue: "Oh, stuff it!" "All right," I would say. "But there are a few errors in the book." "Oh, really?" he'd say and stare me down. Trembling like a leaf I'd turn up the page and point at the Switzerland entry. "Look here, Sir. There is no such thing as Swiss." "Is that so? What do you know about that? Do you live there?" "No..." and there I would hesitate, realising maybe I'm sounding quite foolish... no. "No Sir. In Switzerland they're speaking German, French, Italian and Raeto-Romance." "Romance? I like a bit of Romance but this is my universe. My, d'you here me? Mine! My precious!" Loosing his composure for just a second he'd then say: "Well... hrm... anyway. Swiss there is. This is my story and I'm sticking with it." "Oh..." I'd say in a very Pumbaaish way. "If you say so. I very well can't argue with that now, can I." "No, you can't" he'd say and then flutter off with his Vorlon pals.

If he'd do that I'd yield. Promise...

 

[Vonbloodbath]

A Swiss language spoken in Switzerland 150 years from now is not a vision of a future to be, it's a mistake. An easy mistake if you're not familiar with the somewhat special ethnic situation in the country, but still a mistake.

Now, I'm sorry, but that's just wrong. In 150 years, a lot could happen..here is one hypothetical situation for you...a new political party comes in, which favours one of the ethnic groups within Switzerland.

This language becomes the OFFICIAL STAE LANGUAGE. (Doesn't mean the speakers of the other languages stop, just that this is the "lingua franca" of the state). Say it was French, for arguments sake.

This new Government is fairly nationalistic, and believes that their French is and should be distinct from French French, so they christen their dialect of French "Swiss"; and lo, Swiss is the language spoken in Switzerland.

Forget 150 years, that could happen in 5 years.

For example, Look at the situation in the Balkans. Serbian, Bosnian and Croatian were all different dialects of the same language. (Serbo-croatian, if I recall correctly). following the wars, they are now distinct languages. The way they are spoken HAS NOT CHANGED ONE BIT, but they are classed as languages because of POLITICAL, SOCIAL And CULTURAL changes.

Language / Dialect are social constructions, not linguistic ones.

It's not unfeasible for the scenario outlined above to happen: and it's certainly not worth us all getting our knickers in a twist.

VB

 

[Anonymous]

It's not unfeasible for the scenario outlined above to happen: and it's certainly not worth us all getting our knickers in a twist.

Can't agree with you more. In the end all and everyone are entitled to their opinion.

You have a point with your scenario. It is feasible, true. I guess that with enough imagination you can explain any irregularities in the book. Of course you can patch it up but that is (in my opinion) the point. If I want a quilt I'll take out my thread, needle and pieces of cloth.

Ah, well. As I've said before, I'll write my own descriptions of Earth proper with my own prejudices and my own errors. And it's gonna be great. 8)

/Dr Goth

 

[Tegman]

You are all wrong, everybody speak swedish in Europe since Sweden conquered it

You must have missed that part in the EF book, it was written in a very small font on a page that I have forgotten, but you can all trust me on this 8)

 

[Vonbloodbath]

Does that mean we all have to use that minging tobacco stuff which you guys rub on your gums?

Bleuch!

 

[Chobbly]

You are all wrong, everybody speak swedish in Europe since Sweden conquered it

You must have missed that part in the EF book, it was written in a very small font on a page that I have forgotten, but you can all trust me on this 8)

Judging by the number of Ikea's that we now have in England, it seems like your invasion plan is well underway. If you can make Tanks and Planes in flat-pack brown boxes, Europe as an entity is doomed... :lol:

If you do take over though, can you please make your priority sorting out the train system ? :?


Chobbly

 

[Tegman]

We'll make sure to see to all your needs and you don't have to use the tobacco (since I don't like it myself )

With Ikea, first europe, then the world. *too bad that you have discovered that we use Ikea for taking over the world, now we must send assassins and take care of those who knows this*

 

[Dr Goth]

With Ikea, first europe, then the world. *too bad that you have discovered that we use Ikea for taking over the world, now we must send assassins and take care of those who knows this*

Too bad that the assassins equipment is also from IKEA and therefore has to be assembled. Hopefully all the pieces will be included.

As for us Swedes sorting out the train system... gee, let me think... nope, we have Connex too. :roll:

 

[Anonymous]

hello,

I'm sorry to post after so much talks
I'm French, i like Bab5 a lot, and The french part in the EA fact book is not my taste of course (call it national pride lol)
But it's just a game, so the nationality feats are just an idea, and that's all, glory to Bab5 ;-)

Limriel from la France =^_^=

 

[Prophetsteve]

I'm sorry to post after so much talks
I'm French, i like Bab5 a lot, and The french part in the EA fact book is not my taste of course (call it national pride lol)
But it's just a game, so the nationality feats are just an idea, and that's all, glory to Bab5

Well I am the same way - I wasn't thrilled about the Canadian entry in the EAFB, and was a bit steamed at some of the other entries.

However, the author and Mongoose appologized to anyone who might have been offended by the book. All in all I mark it up as an unfortunate mistake and have moved on.

Believe me, I wouldn't be spending upwards of $180 Cdn on orders and preorders if I held any bitterness against the company. :wink:

:shock: I just realized I am going to spend $180 Cdn. I think I might have to do a bit of overtime at work...