Re: fewest sounds?

--- In conlang@yahoogroups.com, Paul Bennett <paul-bennett@N...>
> wrote:
> On Mon, 28 Nov 2005 15:43:06 -0500, Reilly Schlaier
>> <schlaier@S...> wrote:
>> what are the fewest sounds in any language i was wondering how
>> many sounds are required to make a language work
> [snip]
> Technically, you only need two phonemes for a workable language, but
> I  can't see that occuring naturally.
Hi, Paul, Reilly, et al.

I agree, Paul.  Assuming no tones, and only CV-type syllable-structure,
you would either need two different consonants -- all variety then
being in the choice of consonants, if there were only one vowel -- or
two different vowels -- all variety then being in the choice of vowels,
if there were only one consonant.

So, I'm going to say "at least three phonemes -- at least one vowel, at
least one consonant, and either at least two vowels or at least two
consonants".

On the other hand, if there are tones, or gemination of consonants
counts for something, or length of vowels counts for something -- maybe
only one consonant and only one vowel _could_ work.

I don't think anyone has tried a _serious_ conlang with less than four
consonants and two vowels, though -- does anyone know?

Look at
http://www.geocities.com/yizhbikh/kokipopi.html
Eric Sleator McGill's "international auxiliary language" Kokipopi,
for a not-so-serious not-really-an-auxlang with just four phonemes.

Tom H.C. in MI

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