Re: Optimum number of symbols

> [snip]
> >structures, I think the simplicity and efficiency of the phonemic
> >system easily trumps all contenders.
>
> English???
I believe you are knocking down a strawman here.  No one would
suggest that English orthography is the ideal model of a phonemic
system.  It might be questioned whether it is a phonemic system
at all.  I would argue that it a combination of phonemic and
morphemic approaches.  It borrows or inherits words in their original
phonemic representation from various ages and places, and usually,
instead of transliterating them, locks them orthographically
as morphemic units.  At the same time, strong, sometimes obvious
clues as to pronunciation do persist.  Whatever the benefits or
shortcomings of this combinational approach, they have little
or no bearing as criticisms of a true phonemic system.

Regards

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