--- In qalam@yahoogroups.com, Marco Cimarosti <marco.cimarosti@...>
wrote:

> Hello, Qalamites.
>
> I need some help with a small essay I am writing.
>
> I am describing the writing systems in current usage in the world.

For each

> writing system, I give a choice of a dozen sample words in one or

more of

> the languages using that writing system.
>
> As I invite my readers to try and "decipher" these samples, I

would like

> them to find out words which would be *intelligible* to them.

> "spaghetti", "pizza", "ticket", "computer", etc.).

Sorry Marco, no spaghetti, but I have posted 16 words that sound
like their English equivalents. At least a few should match Italian
well. These words include foods, English loanwords for modern items,
religions, religious characters, and countries. Have fun figuring
out what is what. I am waiting for your guesses! (It is in Unicode.)

http://livingstone.vsb.bc.ca/multiliteracy/languagelinks/t_list.htm

I have in the meantime found Indipad, a Tamil editor which displays
both a transliteration scheme and syllables. I have been instructed
by a Tamil sofware developer not to try keyboarding Tamil without
knowing the syllabary first. Syllabary knowledge is considered
essential not just a pedagogical curiosity.

Cheers,
Suzanne