Re: Optimum number of symbols

Hi, Tim,

No, cuneiform writing isn't writing in clay tablets by definition;  the word
refers to the use of  wedge-shaped characters.  Admittedly, the use of a
cornered stylus on a clay tablet would be an easy way to make the wedge
shaped.

Regardless, I never really contemplated the use of a cuneiform script.  I
just thought that I could devise a mixed morphemic/alphabetic script that
would be just as esthetically pleasing. (See my original post.)

At first, I thought of doing something analogous to cuneiform by allowing a
felt tip pen to bleed a bit before I completed a linear stroke.  But this
thought evaporated;  why should I slow the writing process just to make the
strokes wedge-shaped, when I could just use lines?   Lately, I've thought of
a script whose characters comprised perpendicular lines.   That's more
restrictive than Chinese strokes, but my scheme requires far fewer
characters than a full-blown logographic script does.   Still, I may have
less visual variety than I need with this scheme.

Still mulling this one over,

Jim


(Tim May wrote...)

"Wouldn't that be "the use of clay tablets as a medium for writing"?
Cuneiform's great for that, but possibly not so good for other media,
where you're drawing lines rather then imprinting them."

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