open letter language sally posting response open letter indicates language decided illich svitych book reviewed good news unless refers merely fact late 1990 early 1991 asked eric hamp review knowlege declined indeed eric hamp going review book delighted case charged open letter written spite fact signers knew could found review works informed hamp declined recently march 7 1994 language advisory committee seemed knowledge review response appeal committee urged language something issue july language informed would together fact incoming editor language told would stand predecessor decision something quite sympathize prompted number distinguished members linguistic society resort idea open letter far wishing divisive others tried since 1990 address perceived major omission address without public fanfare however effect report due respect achievements language sally editorship respect sure widely shared seems request change editorial decision way harm distinguished record alexis manaster ramer p since original posting following people asked names added signatories letter edith moravcsik sebastian shaumyan david stampe daniel radzinski lloyd b anderson moderators message taking unaccustomed step commenting discussion christmas would love encourage peace linguistic earth could regard review illich svitych work parties agree language commissioned review 1991 b original review unlikely come us facts suggest language acted fairly soliciting discussion nostratic b signers open letter acted good faith requesting another review linguistic issue merit nonmerit book subscribers would like address issue break happy post messages otherwise discussion closed peace helen anthony postscript since difficult discuss book one read would like remind book announced linguist available discussion contact review editor copy qualify reviewer