----- Original Message -----
From: "Patrick Ryan" <proto-language@...>
To: "NOSTRATIC-E" <nostratic@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 8:08 AM
Subject: Fw: LAPIS PHILOSOPHORUM


>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Patrick Ryan" <proto-language@...>
> To: "NOSTRATICA" <mail@...>; "NOSTRATIC-L"
> <Nostratic-L@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 3:16 AM
> Subject: RE: LAPIS PHILOSOPHORUM
>
>

<...>

> > My first premise will be that the phonological inventory of the
> > Proto-Language can be determined as a working hypothesis through the
> > application of the
> >
> > -Law of Linguistic Entropy-,
> >
> > which will state:
> >
> > ONLY THE _LEAST_ NECESSARY EFFORT TO ACHIEVE EFFICIENT COMMUNICATION
> > WILL BE MADE.

The first corollary of the Law of Linguistic Entropy is:

1) Maximal contrast facilitates efficient communication with the least
necessary effort.


The first application of this corollary is:

1) A vocalic system with maximal contrast consists of a vowel pronounced in
each of three positions: front, central, and back: *E, *A, *O (at any
height).

2) A consonantal system with maximal contrast consist of consonants
pronounced in each of six positions: labial, apical, apical flapped, dorsal,
laryngal, and pharyngal: *P, *T, *R, *K, *H, *HH.


Patrick