Re: script count?

--- In qalam@yahoogroups.com, "Peter T. Daniels" <grammatim@...>
wrote:

> node_ue wrote:
> >
> > --- In qalam@yahoogroups.com, "Peter T. Daniels" <grammatim@...>
> > wrote:
> > > John Hudson wrote:
> > > >
> > > > At 05:25 AM 12/12/2003, Peter T. Daniels wrote:
> > > >
> > > > >(For me, "Latin" script is the 23 letters used for writing
> > Latin.)
> > > >
> > > > So is the approx. 26 letters used for writing English
> > the 'English script'?
> > > >
> > > > For me, these subsets of signs are respectively the Latin
> > alphabet and the
> > > > English alphabet. You appear to be using script as a generic

term,

> > > > interchangeable with any of the more precise terms alphabet,
> > syllabery,
> > > > abugida, etc.; whereas I, and I suspect various other people

in

> > this
> > > > discussion, would be more inclined to use the term 'writing
> > system' in this
> > > > generic way (the Latin writing systems = the Latin alphabet),

and

> > reserve
> > > > the term script for the superset of signs from which

particular

> > writing
> > > > systems are derived. I've found this usage useful, and

obviously

> > others
> > > > have as well; if you have a better terminology that describes

the

> > > > relationship of the particular to the general in this way,

please

> > tell us.
> > >
> > > Why would I use a term for something that doesn't need to be
> > referred
> > > to?
> >
> > Now, now, Pete, are you really one to decide whether or not
> > something "needs to be referred to"?
> >
> > (correct answer: no)
>
> Who's Pete?

I'm sorry Pete, I'm afraid I wasn't aware of your long-term memory
problem. I'll try to accommodate your situation. You can best re-
acquaint yourself with Pete by looking in a mirror.

> If I don't need to refer to it, why would I have a term?

You may not have your own term if you don't need to refer to it. But
who are you to decide whether or not anyone at all needs to refer to
something? ("...for something that doesn't need to be referred to")

>(Are you not a native speaker?)

Yes, I am a native speaker. And you?

Best Wishes,
Mark Williamson