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

> suzmccarth wrote:
>
> > I would consider that the input method becomes a part of the

writing

> > system. I think that Pinyin is now an integral part of the

Chinese

> > writing system, and for every lg, its roman orthography
> > transliteration becomes a part of the system. If it is only an
> > optional part, okay, so be it, but if it is an obligatory part

then

> > that shifts the type of system. (How is that for a justification

for

> > not being sent to vellum? :))
>
> Boy, talk about cultural imperialism!
>
> Just a few months ago, you were horrified that your Tamil and Cree
> children were being forced to learn romanization.

Not Cree, Chinese. I have no Cree students who are literate in
syllabics in Vancouver.

Evidently you have taken my comment in the reverse sense. How
original of you! :) I haven't changed that much in a few months.

I do say *if* it is obligatory, that is, made obligatory by the
input system, or by the gov't, as in China, then it is part of the
writing system. I don't think I have had said anything particularly
obscure or inflammatory. For those who attend elemenatary school in
China, Pinyin is part of the Chinese writing system. IMO

I think we are being blind to cultural imperialism if we think that
a roman input method does not affect the system - for better or
worse. I have no value judgement on this except that one should
recognize the shift and ask if alternate input cannot be made
available for those who have not learned roman orthography or the
transliteration equivalencies.

>
> Again I say, the Chinese contributors to sci.lang don't like and

prefer

> not to use pinyin. Why don't you go there and ask them?

I don't advocate Pinyin, nor am I against it. They may have many
reasons for not liking Pinyin, but once you are in the elite cangjie
or wubi club, why would you use anything else? Cangjie and wubi are
unambiguous in their choice of the right character every time. It is
*much* faster and secretaries are trained in it. However, it is a
skill, maybe like playing the piano, not for everyone. For those who
keyboard for personal use, Pinyin is getting better all the time
because context is used more and more to predict the right
character. The ergonomics of it is better now since you can
keystroke in your choice and edit easily. Pinyin is great but, once
again, IMO, not for everyone.

Suzanne