Re: Bopomofo and pinyin

> > Pinyin uses sh,zh,ch for retroflex sounds and
> > x,j,q for the corresponding alveolopalatal ones.
> > These latter can happen only before an i or i-glide.
> > The only time they are in opposition is before /i/
> > itself.
>
> Alveolopalatal? <x> = /S/ and <j> = /Z/? But that can't be,
> they are postalveolar... I understood that <q> was /ts/
> (affricate).
In pinyin, <x>=/C/
               <q>= /tC/(aspirated)
                <j>= /tC/ (unaspirated)

I've voiced my opinion on this before. Gwoyeu Romatzu is hell on earth. Yale
is okay if you have nothing else, but for me, pinyin is more streamlined and
looks less hokey. I guess it's just what I'm used to; Wade-Giles is a little
antiquated but works as well as pinyin. Bopomofo is also cool, but isn't
romanization, of course. I'm still waiting for John to develop the definitve
system :)

Kou