Re: vowel harmony

Quoting BP Jonsson <bpj@...>:

> This assymetrical system was made symmetrical by merging /i y/, /e 1/
> and
> /o Q/, giving the symmetrical:
>
> i    1    u
> &    a    Q
Isn't there supposed to be a universal saying that the number of back-front
distinctions is never greater than the number of height ones? If so, do you
have any justification for breaking it, or do you just live by my maxim that
rules wouldn't be any fun without exceptions?

                                                          Andreas

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