Re: Language comparison

> That might require some qualification, since language, practically by
> definition, conveys information, and information is what is measured in bits.
>
> I don't really see how anyone could arrive at "~1 bit per character", tho,
> assuming that 'character' corresponds to 'phoneme'; even in an ultra-simple
> phonology with rigid CV syllable structure, eight consonants and four vowels
> (making for 32 distinct syllables; less than Rotokas's inventory), you'd need a
> minimum of 2.5 bits per 'character' just to specify the sequence of segmental
> phonemes.
Quoting my other reply:

I was quoting something I'd read recently (probably Umberto Eco -
Serendipities); do you want the source? A quick Google search gives at
least one article that makes a similar point:
http://cse.stanford.edu/class/sophomore-college/projects-99/information-theory/entropy_of_english_9.html
.

- Sai