OpenGeofiction
I know, this maybe is the worst question, but iam asking anyways: What is our first language, for example, in the RW, there was Mesopotamia the “first” civilization, they speaked Sumerian.
So, in conclusion Mesopotamia speaked Sumerian, so i guess OGF should have their “first” civilization AND “first” language.
PD: I will mapping my country but i was very busy this days.
PD2: My country Garzibania have an a ongoing civil war, if you do not know it (I was some busy to map it).
Discussion
Comment from Alessa on 14 April 2018 at 23:38
Now, I’m sure this post may provoke a response from those that are passionate about it. Let me just keep it simple:
From an in-universe perspective, I think the best and safest way to answer is that our ancient history is so shrouded and convoluted that we just don’t know and will likely never know.
From an out-of-universe perspective, it’s best that we keep it that way. There are too many users that have divergent opinions: ranging from boycotting language discussions; ranting about how languages and cultures couldn’t possibly be connected; ignoring this altogether and doing whatever they want anyway. No one, save maybe Thilo himself, should have the claim to a first language or civilization. I believe that as a community, we’re essentially keeping it that way for a myriad of reasons.
Comment from varnel_maiser on 14 April 2018 at 23:45
I would agree with the disgruntling blurry history idea, but maybe there might be a date set on the wiki for when the loss of history starts?
Comment from Sarepava on 15 April 2018 at 10:30
How about we allow users to mention ‘proto-whatever’ languages but keep the time periods vague.
In any case nobody in the RW has actually found a definitive date for the first civilization or the first languages. We think that the first humans emerged around 200-300000 years ago, but theories on the first languages are mostly based on speculation. We simply don’t have evidence to provide a definitive date nor are ever likely to.
In my opinion, we ought to be more upfront about discouraging this kind of ‘hey guys, we need to come up with a definitive ‘fact’ about something in OGF that isn’t directly related to mapping which will create all sorts of arguments and never be answered satisfactorily!’ We have had loads of these and the best policy is to keep things deliberately vague. You can write or draw what you like about your own country but meta-global things just don’t work here.
Comment from thilo on 15 April 2018 at 15:59
Maybe someone should do an experiment to find out …
Comment from Rayx on 16 April 2018 at 15:11
i think that’s a nice idea tho
Comment from Davieerr on 4 May 2018 at 22:40
I would say that the only way history can become more explainde is to all the existing countries to agree in ancient history and all the new mappers to follow rules for ancient times, that’s not easy