Re: Re: VMs: transcriptions and shorthand notes

["Jan" <hurychj@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hello Ted,  


======= At 2004-06-07, 22:07:00 you wrote: =======

  Just this weekend I noticed some striking symmetry in the
>Voynich alphabet (or whatever it may be).  I have laid out the alphabet in
>the following table.  This is by no means the only way to group them, nor
>does it bring up any obvious solutions.  Just thought that it might inspire
>someone.


It is obvious that some VM signs are composites of the other, simple ones. This could have lead to 
uncertainty should the "letters" be connected  and not separated by spaces (or was it the only reason 
for  their  separation?). After all, writing separate letters is more tiring since one has to lift the pen for 
each "letter". On the other hand, the script is definitely not a  "printed font" version, which 
automatically requires inter-letter spacing.

 Why would the author invent so many composite signs while he had other single shapes available (say 
larger circle beside the smaler one, or short lines under different angles)  is not clear - after all the signs 
for "r" and "s" or "d" and "g" are too close for comfort :-).  Or maybe there is some system in it, as 
your table shows, but which one?

 True - as we can see from your table - he was using very few basic elements  and yes, some 
shapes, even composites, are much simpler than some Latin letters (cursive "k" or "y", etc.) He was 
surely simplifying the  "letters" of his alphabet to high degree and still - or maybe because of that - the
 writing does look quite beautiful.  He was certainly skilled in writing his script, which suggests he 
probably perfected it  for long time. 

Gallows, on the other hand, show combinations of rather higher order - so they might have some  
meaning of their own, as Nick already suggested in his work.

Also, the text has no commas, which were - I believe -   already used in middle ages,  neither it has full stops - the "sentences" look more like paragraphs. All those features are present in coded messages,    here they are becoming superfluous or even a clear giveway. Also, the function of spaces between the  words" is still unclear.   Apparently, we have still long way to go.                           
			 
Jan



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