Hi Glen
Re
> Even so, I was talking about Linear A not EteoCretian. There
> were many scripts in Crete and probably many languages to match.
I was of the opinion that the applications of phonetic values of
Linear B to Linear A was showing that the underlying language was
related to the Greek script inscriptions of EtoCretion. I'll try to
dig out the web source for you.
Regarding the "many languages to match" - the classical writers list
Etocretian
Cydonian
Pelasgian
Achaean
and Dorian
We know the last two are Greek dialects. Circumstancial evidence
would suggest that Pelasgian is related to Tyrrhenian, Cydonian seems
to be the language of the islands between Crete and Mainland Greece,
which leaves Etocretian as the indigenous language. Given that
archaeology shows no real movement of new people into Crete between
the neolithic and the coming of the Achaeans (at which time Pelasgain
may also have arrived), it would seem that there was quite possibly
only one Cretian language (albeit perhaps with regional dialectical
differences).
Interested in your response.
John