Re: Newbie introduction and question

I too want second Matt's recomendation of _Describing Morphosyntax_
by Payne. However, the only thing missing Payne's book is how to
describe phonology. I think one of the first things a conlanger
should decide on is the phonology of his/her language. In fact, the
major factor why my Boreanesian has progressed very slowly was
because I couldn't decide on the phonology. I couldn't decide on the
inventory of consonants, vowels, etc. Once that was settled, I
couldn't decide on the structure of syllables and words, - ie., how
the phonemes in the phonology were to be put togethr. After that was
settled, then I couldn't decide on how to transcribe the language.
Fortunately, that has just been settled.

Payne's book list possible references on phonology. But I'd like to
recommend a few which I myself have found very useful in the
development of Boreanesia's phonology. A good small introductory
book on phonological theory is one titled _An Introduction to
Phonology_ by Francis Katamba (ISBN 0-582-29150-X). It is part of a
series of introductory linguistic books called _Learning about
Language_ published by Longman. For inspiration, you simply have to
get a book titled _The Sounds of the World's Languages_ by Peter
Ladefoged and Ian Maddieson (ISBN 0-631-19815-6). A great book with
data drawn from 400 languages, many investigated by the authors
themselves.

Of course, if you have decided on creating a conlang without sounds
(i.e., sign language, telepathic language, etc.), then don't mind
me. 8-)

Regards,
-Kristian- 8-)