Re: "kaida" pictographic script and "suuchuuma" numerals

At 19:26 -0500 2003-12-12, Peter T. Daniels wrote:

> > >To confirm the implication of this definition: you are saying that all
>> >writing systems must be in some way phonetically based, and that
>> >non-phonetically based sets of graphic symbols and rules for their use are
>> >*not* writing systems?
>>
>> No, he's not saying that.
>
>I certainly am.

You're positing that writing systems for non-oral languages such as
sign languages without sounds, then?

> > He mentioned cheretic/cheremic as well as
>> phonetic/phonemic distinctions earlier.
>
>(Mutatis mutandis for signed languages, of course.)

Ah, you are including soundless languages. In which case I am right,
when I say in response to what John says, that you are not excluding
soundless languages.

> > His question is sound. A writing system needn't be phonetically based,
>
>Name one that isn't.

SignWriting and other notation systems for Sign Languages. Blissymbols.
--
Michael Everson * * Everson Typography * * http://www.evertype.com