Re: German style orthography

--- Philip Newton <philip.newton@...> wrote:

> On Thu, 9 Dec 2004 08:13:49 -0800, bob thornton
> <arcanesock@...> wrote:
> > Question: How is /s/ represented in German as of
> now?
>
> /s/ is represented in German typically by any of
> |s|, |ss|, or |ß|
> (es-zett) depending on the etymology of the word. Of
> those three, |s|
> can also represent /z/ (typically at the beginning
> of a syllable or
> between vowels).
>
> Since word-initial |s| is always /z/ in German, I've
> seen |ß| used in
> transcriptions of foreign languages (e.g. "ßänks"
> for "thanks" in a
> tourist's guidebook/phrasebook of English) when the
> author wanted to
> make clear that an /s/ sound was intended. It looks
> a bit strange to
> me, though, since |ß| does not occur word-initially
> in any native
> German word.
>
So, perhaps use eszett initially, and s medially for /z/?

=====
-The Sock

"My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings:
Look upon my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"


		
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