Translating the word "Akkhara"

A wildly original suggestion: smidin.

Following on our recent discussion, I am more inclined than ever to
use the English term "Letter" as equivalent to Pali /Akkhara/ except
where the context demands "syllable", however, I think I have found
another word, that:
   (1) Is not linguistic jargon,
   (2) Is not greek,
   (3) Does not entail confusion about the spoken vs. orthographic
sense of the referent,
   (4) Is not a mere repetition of the Pali word,
   (5) Indicates an appropriately small unit of language,

That word is: smidin.

It's a proper English word (neither a Greek loan-word nor a Sanskrit
one) and means a unit of language smaller than a syllable, or a very
short syllable (thus, /ka/, but not /'ngkha.m/).  It is listed in
English dictionaries, although, perhaps, only the best and most
extensive of English dictionaries.

Smidin.

Problem solved.

E.M.

(Note to Jim: yes, I am joking, but Smidin is a real word!)