On Fri, 8 Mar 2002, Marie Alexander wrote:
> I hope Dan doesn't mind me saying that would not push aside the great
> developments that can be partly or fully attributed to the alphabetic
> invention. They are many.
John Joseph argues that standardization (and from that, a lot of
what Labov calls "linguistic insecurity" can be attributed to the
alphabetic invention. Not sure I would put this in with the great
developments.
> Nevertheless, one should keep in mind the fact that if no language had
> yet been written and we were about to start now, it would be preferable
> to use a system similar to the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet).
Okay, I have to ask why you believe that.
> Later on we will send the sw-list details on our work on a dictionary
> for LSM (Maltese Sign Language) using signwriting.
Ack! Another acronym clash. We'll never be rid of them. What is
the full name in Maltese, out of curiosity?
-Angus B. Grieve-Smith
Linguistics Department
University of New Mexico
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