I wonder if symbols like X and + are used as mechanical devices, perhaps to show missing text or the joining of text, etc. If so, can they be removed to show what the final version of the text might look like (ref. example below for <f116v.P.2;U>):
----- Original Message -----
From: Jorge Stolfi
Sent: Sunday, September 15, 2002 9:09 AM
To: voynich@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: VMs: Re: Michiton oladabas
Just for the record, here follows readings of f116v by Rene ("Z","W")
and myself ("U"), from the interlinear file.
Note the question on the final "o": any comments?
## <f116v.P> {}
# The "michiton" paragraph
# Last edited on 2002-03-09 15:48:17 by stolfi
#
# "U" transcription by J.Stolfi from a scanned image.
# Only the first two words of line 3 look like Voynichese.
#
# Transcription uses the "best matches" from Rene's German alphabet (RGA),
# with the following additions/deviations:
#
# 8 similar to RGA "d" (mainline variant), but the upper loop is smaller
# than the lower loop, and almost straight above it.
# à An "a" with a faint dot over it (probably noise).
# ç A "c" with a vertical serif at the top end.
# h very much like RGA "h", but with open bottom
# í A straight, short, thick descending stroke with a
# straight, long, thin "acute accent"; like
# an EVA "r" but with straight plume
# j a partially obscured glyph; what can be seen looks
# like a printed lowercase "j", lower on
# the baseline and slanting to the left.
# L Similar to RGA "l" but more angular---a thin and tall triangle,
# closed at the bottom and not connected to the neighbors.
# M like a large Greek "epsilon" or a "3" on its side, with
# first stroke turned inwards, the last slightly outwards.
# m with inclined strokes, like "\/\/\".
# n with inclined strokes, like "\/\".
# ø like an "o" with a circumflex *under* it; or an EVA "l"
# with very short "legs".
# ) like a small close parenthesis, extending slightly below
# the baseline; very much like the variant RGA "o"
# (bottom line of Rene's scan)
# p has an exaggerated "barb" on the left side of the
# stem.
# r like a Greek lowercase "nu".
# û an "u" or "n" with a macron or overline (which may be noise).
# × an x-like thing, possibly a strikeout.
# X Like RGA "x", but with the two strokes ligated on the right.
# y similar to RGA "y", but more like a Greek "eta".
# + like a math "+", raised so as to stand on the baseline.
# ^ partially obscured; the bottom part has two "feet"
# on the baseline, very close together.
#
# <f116v.P.0;U> po×lcber.v!mon.pvtifer={Roman}
# <f116v.P.0;Z> po×lcber.u!mon.potufer={Roman}
# <f116v.P.0;W> po×lebor.u!mon.potifer={Roman}
#
# <f116v.P.1;U> mchiton.ola6àba8.+.mûLtø8.+.te.+,tar.cevç,+.porta8.+M++-{Roman}
#
# <f116v.P.2;U> siX+*jûariX+moriX+,víX+abta+ma+ria+-
If we drop the X * +, then what do we get
si juari mori, vi abta maria
Could this become something like the following?
Si Juan mori, vi abra Maria
# The "jû" is an "m" rather out of shape.
# The "+" in "ma+ria" is raised and takes no space between the "a" and "r".
#
<f116v.P.3;U> aror.sheey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!=
<f116v.P.3;Z> oror.sheey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!=
# <f116v.P.3;U> ****.*****.val8e^,vbreY-{gap}so.nim.gas.mich.o={Roman}
# The "8" is small and tilted to the right; it may be an EVA "d"
# or a Roman "a" with some noise.
# The final "o" may be a spot, or a vellum defect.