Ambigol is an extension of ordinary American English based on the use of SGML tags and associated rules for expressions which relate to these tags. A BNF expression (Backus Nauer Form) map is in preparation. This release is intended to allow early adopters to absorb and hopefully internalize the language for their own good.
Expression rules for Ambigol:
1) Weasel words will be italicized. If italics are unavailable in a given browser/reader, the use of * for italics and ** for superlatives (see below) is encouraged.
2) Redundant weasel words are unnecessary--this is known as the law of conservation of weasel words. (No more than one weasel word per quantitative implication is needed. Eg. most analysts describe ....)
3) Weasel words should not be confused with superlatives or anti-superlatives.
4) (anti-)Superlatives will be bolded.
5)Absolutes (such as absolutely, none, absolutely none) may not be used except with the prefix a- meaning almost as in a-absolutely meaning almost absolutely.
6) Quantities will be expressed with weasel words and (anti)superlatives unless a-absolutely necessary.
7) Where a quantity is necessary for meaning the prefix r- should be used meaning roughly, as in r-12, meaning roughly twelve.
8) Declarations will be used, following the C languague model, to express the relevant scientific frameworks which the writer assumes as given.
9) Declarations will be of the form shown on the next r-5 lines
#declare= General Relativitity
#declare= Standard Model
#declare= Quantum Mechanics
#declare= Evolution
#declare= Big Bang (w expansion)
#declare= String Theory
#declare= Creationism
#declare= Dianetics
#declare= psychoanalysis
9a) #declare Main may be used to indicate implicit a-acceptance of all of the above.
10) There are no limitations based on mutual inconsistencies of declarations.
11) Inspirations that arise out of the juxtaposition of seemingly inconsistent declarations are the a-exclusive intellectual property of the declarer.
12) Equations should not be used unless a-essential for the identification of a concept.
13) If an equation is used, it should be interpreted metaphorically.
14) Wherever possible, logic will be embedded in ordinary language.
15) If necessary for meaning, logical conclusions will be interpreted allegorically.
16) Experimental facts will be given by allusion, referencing the continent of origin and the century of the experimenter.
17) Literature references will be given by allusion, referencing the source repository (eg. Library of Congress) and the authors first name.
18) Web URLs will be given only to the level of the ISP (eg aol.com)
19) Double negatives, especially with embedded weasel words are encouraged.
20) Use of if--then statements with unprovable hypothesis following the if may be used to utterly insure any statement is not wrong. Eg. If the Goldberg hypothesis is true, then ...
21) Instead of if, the form: Assuming the Goldberg hypothesis is true, then ... may be used to inject variety into the discourse.
22) Jargon associated with a speciality is encouraged, inplying as it were, the familiarity of the writer with the current literature. Where jargon is not really understood, use of random prefix tag notation is encouraged, eg x-soliton.
23) Flaming of discussion using Ambigol is discouraged. It is bad form. If someone deliberately attempts to express a new idea in Ambigol, the dismissal of that idea with a flame is most unbecoming. On the other hand, if discussion of the idea and promotion of its consideration is enhanced, flaming is most welcome. GIVEN this ambiguity, it is proposed that flames of ideas, presented in Ambigol be confined to the facts, such as they are, of the post.
John Bailey
January 31, 2000