Theiling Online    Sitemap    Conlang Mailing List HQ   

Betreft: Re: Critique sought

From:Rob Nierse <rnierse@...>
Date:Thursday, November 18, 1999, 15:35
I know of Sechelt having /e/, /a/, /o/, /@/.
[i] and [u] are allophones of /@/

>>> Paul Bennett <Paul.Bennett@...> 11/18 4:28 >>>
Nik>>>>>> Barry Garcia wrote:
> Is there a reason for /i u a/ being most likely in a three vowel system?
Look at where they are on the vowel chart - at the extreme edges. The further apart two vowels are from each other, the easier they are to distinguish. /E a O/ would be inefficient because they are too close to each other, /E/ and /O/ would tend to rise to higher levels to be more easily distinguished. Remember, clarity and lack of confusion are important factors in language design. Features which can create confusion tend to be eliminated. <<<<<< I'm a bit out of my depth here, but doesn't PIE have a two-vowel system = with /E/ and /O/? (or is it /e/ and /o/?) ************************************************************* This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender. This footnote also confirms that this email message has been scanned for the presence of computer viruses. *************************************************************