CHAT: Re : CHAT: Re: minimum phonemes, was Re: vrindo

Dans un courrier dat=E9 du 20/06/99 21:12:27  , Paul a =E9crit :

> Is it just my imagination, but do most if not all small-phoneme-
>  inventory languages belong to isolated islands out in the middle of
>  the ocean? :-)
> =20
speaking of natlangs, hawaiian and tahitian are closely related so no wonder=
,=20
but as you know, links between between them, japanese and malayan languages=20
are diputed so maybe insularity is a reason for that ?
speaking of conlangs, you may be right too. any wicked psychostuff implied ?

>  Counterexamples (tunu?), if you please.=20
errr... well, yes, i mean : no, it's no exception, wise guy.

Also, if anyone feels like
>  it, theories/arguements as to why this is.  (Lack of contact with
>  other languages with which to compare and contrast phonemes?)
certainly so for tunuans and it may get even worse if they don't quit soon=20
eating foreigners before addressing them.
as for japanese i suggest they should consider gaijins as earthlings as a=20
first step. that may help somehow (THIS IS A JOKE).

mathias