Extensions of the 12-letter picture-writing, part 1
The phonetic picture-writing with 12 letters described in the
main article is already quite efficient,
but some terms can expressed with it only scarcely. Also: indeed the sounds
can be arranged nicely in 4 * 3 matrix, 1 sound group per line. But if one
arranges the signs so, that the signs of every column are equally broad,
the result is not more a matrix:
If we fill the gap on the right with a new sign, the useful triple line,
then we have a phonetic picture-writing with 13 letters. (Instead of
the humming sound r one could use the humming sound v, which is easier to pronounce)
In the leftmost column one can insert another useful sign, which is broad
only 1 line's diameter, namely the point. Now we have a phonetic picture-writing
with 14 letters:
After adding 2 slashes, we get a 4*4 matrix with 16 letters:
Now two signs of the leftmost column are broader than 1 line's diameter,
but any horizontal intersection of them is broad only 1 line's diameter.
The 2 single slashes are about the left halves of the signs ∫ and k,
but a little flatter and longer (reaching nearly to the middle of the sign field).
This matrix of signs is nicely systematic: square, each column represents
one breadth: 1 line's diameter, breadth 1/3 (centered), full breadth with gap
(2/3 = left + right third), full breadth (all 3 thirds).
This picture writing with 16 letters has some sounds (y like french u, z = ts)
not existent in most languages. To avoid this, as standard extension of the picture-writing
with 12 letters, the following alphabet with 15 letters is used in the interactive
programs, the dictionaries and the more detailed articles:
The letters v, u are like the letters l, e but at leftmost rim of the writing
column, not centered.
update: 7.10.05