Linguistics Manifesto: Summary of PreBabel

One,

Tienzen (Jeh-Tween) Gong's PreBabel is a linguistic theory and constructed system that claims to be the universal and perfect language — the "Mother Proper" underlying all human natural languages (HNLs). It posits that all HNLs are essentially dialects of this single PreBabel, allowing for perfect translatability, automatic translation, and dramatically easier language acquisition.

Core Thesis and Foundations. PreBabel rests on three main pillars:

Martian Language Thesis (MLT) — All HNLs share a universal meta-language (based on laws of physics, math, consciousness, and symbolism), making them functionally equal in expressive power despite surface differences.
Spider Web Principle (SWP) — Language diversity arises from an initial symmetry-breaking (like choosing arbitrary morphemes or rules), creating a web of internal consistency while preserving underlying universality.
Large Complex System Principle (LCSP) — Complex systems (like languages or physics) follow equivalent laws across domains.

A key mechanism is the Closed Encoding Set (CES): a finite set of root words (typically 220–240 silent, ideographic roots) that can fully encode any HNL. If it encodes one language completely, it encodes all (via isomorphism and MLT), making PreBabel emergent and unique.

PreBabel is "perfect" by three criteria (scored out of 300):

Finite tokens generate infinite words (100 points).
Meanings readable from structure/"face" (100 points).
Pronunciations readable from structure (100 points).

Natural languages vary: English scores ~220/300 (arbitrary vocabulary), while Chinese scores 300/300 as the only realized perfect natural language.

Relation to Chinese Characters: Gong argues that Chinese written language exemplifies PreBabel in reality. Its ~60,000 characters derive from ~220 roots (not traditional radicals) plus ~300 sound modules, with meanings and sounds derivable from composition (e.g., 盲 = 亡 "lost" + 目 "eye" → blind). Mechanisms include:

Pictographic/ideographic composition.
Phonetic loans.
Sense determiners.
Mutations (fusion, camouflage, etc.).

This makes Chinese axiomatic (Type B language: self-revealing via roots/rules), not arbitrary. Gong claims his 2001–2008 etymology rediscovery proves this, vindicating Chinese against historical criticisms (e.g., as illogical or phonetic-poor) and halting Romanization efforts.

Construction and Operation: PreBabel is built via Begetting the Mother from Her Baby (BMFB): reverse-engineer a natural language (e.g., English) by substituting language-specific features with universal ones, extracting the "Mother Proper."

Vocabulary → Root-based (240 roots), transparent, Lego-like composition; silent/ideographic base with optional pronunciation.
Grammar → Minimalist: paired sentences (body + tag for metadata like tense); no inflections, punctuation needed (unique via fractal shadow); word-phrasing with hyphens/parentheses.
Encoding Process → Regressive: cipher symbols, break words into self-dictionaries, map to roots; mix encodings from multiple languages to resolve conflicts and emerge unified PreBabel.
Dialects → All HNLs become "U-versions" (e.g., U-English), mappable for auto-translation.

Languages classify as:

Type A → Chaotic/arbitrary (e.g., most vocab in English).
Type B → Axiomatic/root-based (PreBabel, Chinese written).
Type C → Hybrid.

Claims and Benefits

Universality — All languages are dialects of PreBabel; auto-translation possible; overcomes Babel fragmentation.
Perfection/Efficiency — Learnable in 90–300 hours (vs. years for natural languages); reduces memory effort ~95% via roots as anchors; Type B easier as "knowledge" not habit.
Proofs — Inductive (thousands of Chinese character dissections); empirical (claimed 90-day learning demos); falsifiable (challenge: find unencodable word).
Broader Implications — Ties to super unified linguistics (encompassing physics/math/life); revolutionizes acquisition (no immersion needed); enables virtue language free of bias/arbitrariness.

Gong's later blog chapters (2025) expand this framework with detailed etymologies, verbal universe attributes (e.g., tones, compounds in Chinese), and defenses against academic skepticism, emphasizing reproducible evidence over peer review.

In essence, PreBabel is an ambitious, oligosynthetic constructed language grounded in Chinese etymology, aiming to unify all linguistics under a testable, root-based universal system.

Two,

Gong's PreBabel Framework for Chinese Character Etymologies

Tienzen Gong's PreBabel theory treats Chinese characters as an axiomatic system (Type B language) derived from 220-240 silent semantic roots and ~300 sound modules. Characters (60,000 total) are "transparent blobs" where meanings and pronunciations are readable from their "face" via logical dissection, composition, mutations (e.g., fusion, camouflage), reincarnations, and generational genealogy. This contrasts with traditional views (e.g., Kangxi radicals as opaque) and emphasizes reproducibility: meanings emerge from root algebra (e.g., R + M = R × M), not arbitrary assignment. Roots encode semantics silently; sound tags/modules provide phonetics via loans, synonyms, or homophones.

Below, I compile detailed etymologies from Gong's works, focusing on specific examples. Duplicates across sources are merged for conciseness. Organized into tables by thematic groups (e.g., body parts, nature, abstracts) for clarity. Each entry includes the character (with pinyin), dissection (roots/components), meaning derivation, and explanations (e.g., mutations, contrasts with traditional etymology).

Body and Human-Related Etymologies

Character (Pinyin)	Dissection (Roots/Components)	Meaning Derivation	Explanations
兄 (xiōng)	口 (mouth) + 儿 (child)	Mouth over child = elder (leads family/rituals).	Elder brother; used in 祝 (ritual master). Not just phonetic; semantic from structure. From PDFs and Chapter 5. tienzengong.files.wordpress.com +2
盲 (máng)	亡 (lost/dead) + 目 (eyes)	Lost/dead eyes = blind.	Direct loss of sight; contrasts with phonetic loans. Repeated across sources as proof of logic. From PDFs and Chapter 19. tienzengong.files.wordpress.com +2
瞎 (xiā)	目 (eyes) + 害 (harm)	Harmed eyes = blind.	Injury-based; alternative to 盲. From PDFs and Chapter 11. tienzengong.files.wordpress.com +2
見 (jiàn)	目 (eyes) + 儿 (child)	Eyes over child = unintentional seeing.	Innocent/accidental sight. From PDFs. tienzengong.files.wordpress.com +1
看 (kàn)	手 (hand) + 目 (eyes)	Hand over eyes = intentional looking.	Deliberate observation; hand shades eyes. From PDFs and Chapter 19. tienzengong.files.wordpress.com +2
睡 (shuì)	目 (eyes) + 垂 (droop)	Eyes droop = sleep.	Physical sign; also in 睏 (eyes trapped/tired). From PDFs and Chapter 18. tienzengong.files.wordpress.com +1
掌 (zhǎng)	尚 (top/upper) + 手 (hand)	Top side of hand = palm.	Anatomical; upper hand surface. From PDFs and Chapter 19. tienzengong.files.wordpress.com +1
我 (wǒ)	手 (hand) + 戈 (spear)	Hand with spear = self (defended independence).	Autonomy via self-protection; not slave. From PDFs and Chapter 18. tienzengong.files.wordpress.com +1
妻 (qī)	一 (unite/heaven) + 肀 (crafty hand) + 女 (woman)	United crafty-handed woman = wife.	Virtuous union; sound tag for homophones (e.g., 棲). From PDFs and Chapter 8. tienzengong.files.wordpress.com +2
孕 (yùn)	乃 (not yet) + 子 (child)	Not-yet child = pregnant.	Pending birth; waiting state. From PDFs and Chapter 18. tienzengong.files.wordpress.com +2
頑 (wán)	元 (beginning) + 頁 (head)	Newborn head (undeveloped) = stubborn.	Immature mentality. From PDF. tienzengong.files.wordpress.com
首 (shǒu)	八 (dividing) + Root 47 (head)	Dividing/combing head = head/leader.	Abstract leading; in surnames. From PDF. tienzengong.files.wordpress.com
頁 (yè)	Root 47 (head) + 儿 (child)	Child's head as object = head/page.	Static; extends to descendants (e.g., 頂 top). From PDFs and Chapter 11. tienzengong.files.wordpress.com +2
胡 (hú)	古 (ancient) + 月 (meat)	Aged drooping skin under chin = beard/reckless.	Leads to 鬍 (beard). From PDF. tienzengong.files.wordpress.com
姊 (zǐ)	女 (girl) + flowing chi not stopping	Girl with ongoing chi = elder sister.	Pronunciation as 止 (stop). From Chapter 17. chineselanguageetymology.blogspot.com
弟 (dì)	止 (stop) + chi not stopping	Chi under stop = younger brother.	Younger than 姊. From Chapter 17. chineselanguageetymology.blogspot.com

Nature and Elements Etymologies

Character (Pinyin)

Dissection (Roots/Components)

Meaning Derivation

Explanations

雨 (yǔ)

天 (heaven) + 水 (water)

Heavenly water = rain.

Fused; in 雪 (held rain). From PDFs.

tienzengong.files.wordpress.com +1

雪 (xuě)

雨 (rain) + 彐/彗 (hand hold)

Rain held (solid) = snow.

Cold transformation. From PDFs and Chapter 16.

tienzengong.files.wordpress.com +1

永 (yǒng)

Root 97 (heaven) + 水 (water)

Heavenly water = forever.

Eternal; extends to 泳 (float forever), 詠 (sing to last). From PDFs and Chapter 8.

tienzengong.files.wordpress.com +2

雷 (léi)

雨 (rain) + 田 (field)

Rain in field = thunder.

Storm over land. From Chapter 16.

chineselanguageetymology.blogspot.com

秋 (qiū)

禾 (grain) + 火 (fire)

Burn grain stalks = autumn (post-harvest).

Seasonal; after harvest. From PDFs and Chapter 18.

tienzengong.files.wordpress.com +1

洋 (yáng)

水 (water) + 羊 (sheep)

Water like sheep herd = ocean (vast).

Expansive water. From Chapter 17.

chineselanguageetymology.blogspot.com

飛 (fēi)

升 (rising) + 非 (opposite/push away) stacked

Push away + rising = fly.

Physical action. From Chapter 5.

chineselanguageetymology.blogspot.com

龍 (lóng)

立 (violate) + 月 (animal) + 匕 (transform) + 飛 (fly) + 亡 mirror (disappear)

Violate heaven + animal + transform + fly + disappear = dragon.

Legendary traits. From Chapter 5.

chineselanguageetymology.blogspot.com

Abstract and Action Etymologies

Character (Pinyin)	Dissection (Roots/Components)	Meaning Derivation	Explanations
悲 (bēi)	非 (not) + 心 (heart)	Not heart = compassion (ego annihilation).	Logical negation. From Chapter 5 and 18. chineselanguageetymology.blogspot.com +1
忘 (wàng)	亡 (lost) + 心 (heart)	Lost heart = forget.	Mental vanishing. From PDFs and Chapter 18. tienzengong.files.wordpress.com +1
忙 (máng)	心 (heart) + 亡 (lost)	Heart lost = busy (distracted).	Overwhelmed mind. From Chapter 18. chineselanguageetymology.blogspot.com
亡 (wáng)	Root 97 (heaven) + Root 184/216 (disappearing)	Disappear into heaven = dead/disappear.	Eternal/death; in 忘, 忙. From PDFs and Chapter 17. tienzengong.files.wordpress.com +2
祝 (zhù)	示 (deities/signs) + 兄 (elder)	Elder leads rituals = bless/communicate divine.	Temple master. From Chapter 5. chineselanguageetymology.blogspot.com
貨 (huò)	化 (transform) + 貝 (treasure/money)	Money transformed = goods/products.	Economic exchange. From PDFs and Chapter 11. tienzengong.files.wordpress.com +1
愛 (ài)	Top of 受 (holding hands) + 心 (heart) + bottom of 夏 (slow walk)	Hearts hold hands, walk slowly = love.	Intimate union. From Chapter 19. chineselanguageetymology.blogspot.com
謝 (xiè)	言 (words) + 射 (archery/shoot)	Words after contest = thank.	Post-ritual acknowledgment. From PDFs and Chapter 18. tienzengong.files.wordpress.com +1
義 (yì)	羊 (sheep) + 我 (self)	Sheep carried openly = righteousness (owned property).	Upright possession. From Chapter 18 and 19. chineselanguageetymology.blogspot.com +1
鏡 (jìng)	金 (metal) + 竟 (true end)	Metal shows complete world = mirror.	Reflective entirety. From Chapter 17 and 16. chineselanguageetymology.blogspot.com +1
贏 (yíng)	月 (meat) + 貝 (treasure) + 丸 (pill) + 亡 (none) + 口 (person)	No one else gets treasures = winning.	Exclusive gain. From Chapter 9. chineselanguageetymology.blogspot.com

Foundational Roots and Variants: These are core building blocks; etymologies show how they generate words.

Root/Character	Dissection	Meaning Derivation	Explanations
一 (yī)	Horizontal stroke (top/middle/bottom)	Heaven/Earth/man; seed.	Opens universe; in 王 (king). From PDF. tienzengong.files.wordpress.com
｜	Upright stroke	Complete chi (energy flow).	Weak if bent (乙). From PDF. tienzengong.files.wordpress.com
乃 (nǎi)	Weak chi root	Not yet ready.	In 孕. From PDF. tienzengong.files.wordpress.com
示 (shì)	Radical for signs	Heaven's signs/deities.	In rituals. From PDF. tienzengong.files.wordpress.com
口 (kǒu)	Oral cavity	Mouth/person/speaking.	In 兄, 哀. From PDFs. tienzengong.files.wordpress.com +1

Gong claims these dissections prove Chinese as the only perfect natural language (300/300 score), with all characters encodable via finite roots, enabling universal translation. For more, his works provide thousands of examples; this is a representative sample.

Gong’s PreBabel is outlined via the following web posts.

PreBabel Chapter one { https://chineselanguageetymology.blogspot.com/2025/11/prebabel-chapter-one.html }

PreBabel Chapter two { https://chineselanguageetymology.blogspot.com/2025/11/prebabel-chapter-two.html }

PreBabel Chapter three { https://chineselanguageetymology.blogspot.com/2025/11/prebabel-chapter-three.html }

PreBabel Chapter Four { https://chineselanguageetymology.blogspot.com/2025/12/prebabel-chapter-four.html }

PreBabel Chapter Five { https://chineselanguageetymology.blogspot.com/2025/12/prebabel-chapter-five.html }

PreBabel Chapter six { https://chineselanguageetymology.blogspot.com/2025/12/prebabel-chapter-six.html }

PreBabel Chapter seven { https://chineselanguageetymology.blogspot.com/2025/12/prebabel-chapter-seven.html }

PreBabel Chapter eight { https://chineselanguageetymology.blogspot.com/2025/12/prebabel-chapter-eight.html }

PreBabel Chapter nine { https://chineselanguageetymology.blogspot.com/2025/12/prebabel-chapter-nine.html }

PreBabel Chapter Ten { https://chineselanguageetymology.blogspot.com/2025/12/prebabel-chapter-ten.html }

PreBabel Chapter eleven { https://chineselanguageetymology.blogspot.com/2025/12/prebabel-chapter-eleven.html }