a thought about letter names

[Randall Holmes]

Hoi logli,

I'm working on porting the Loglan grammar to the Python version of my PEG processor (which will surely involve debugging and feature expansion of the PEG processor), and this puts me in mind of the Large Proposal which I must soon frame.

One feature which is NOT included in my current grammar for constructing predicates is the ability to construct predicates using initial letters (the X-ray construction) when the initial letter is a vowel.  The consonant case is included but not specially marked in any way (because it doesnt have to be, attaching a CVV affix with a y-hyphen is unexceptionable).  In fact, I think this is the only thing

I have not supported.

Vowel names are in general just one of the nastiest exception generating machines in the phonology.   They cause the *only* situation in which

CVV-V situations occur in compound little words (when a CVV is followed

by a VCV vowel name in an acronym) and they create the need to

prepend VCV vowel names with a y-hyphen to predicates, which so far I

simply havent allowed in my grammar.

I have a modest proposal.  Why do vowel names have to start with a vowel anyway?  Use ZIA, ZIE, ZII, ZIO, ZIU (all free) as the letterals for AEIOU,

possibly with the same provisions for shortening in acronyms.  Then the

X-ray (A-train?) construction would not need a special provision in the phonology

of predicates...

This isnt Official, but would come as part of the large package which will soon

appear if I get favorable discussion.

--
Sincerely, Randall Holmes

Any opinions expressed above are not the
official opinions of any person or institution.

[John Cowan]

Randall Holmes scripsit:

> I have a modest proposal. Why do vowel names have to start with a vowel
> anyway? Use ZIA, ZIE, ZII, ZIO, ZIU (all free) as the letterals for AEIOU,
> possibly with the same provisions for shortening in acronyms.

Provided it doesn't raise child mortality in Ireland, I'm all for it.

--
"But I am the real Strider, fortunately," John Cowan
he said, looking down at them with his face co...@ccil.org
softened by a sudden smile. "I am Aragorn son http://www.ccil.org/~cowan
of Arathorn, and if by life or death I can
save you, I will." --LotR Book I Chapter 10

[Randall Holmes]

La Cefli nia zavlo crano

I dont believe it will cause child mortality in Ireland.  It does use

up some LW space, but I think the VCV letterals are a *pain*.  Other opinions from Keugru members?  (or others!)