Re: Optimum number of symbols

Ray Brown wrote:
(I wrote:)
>>So the question is whether the abugida will distinguish |pji| and |pij|,
>>both [pi:]....
>>Technically, I think it's also possible to have /jij/, which is another
>>problem......
>
>Good grief - you like to give yourself problems  :)
>
>But if both /pji/ and /pij/ are pronounced [pi:], don't we have a case
>where phonemic difference has been neutralized?
Yes indeed.  Not only that; there are /tS, dZ/ which don't occur with the
/jV/ diphthongs, and may not be phonemic (from an historical POV)--
somewhat, I suspect, like the Chinese situation.  Then there are dental
stops /t d/ and affricates /ts dz/ which do take /jV/, but of course
neutralize to [tS, dZ].  This, plus tones, is turning out to be rather
challenging....and slow going.