Q: symbols and abbreviations

[Richard Hogg]

----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Some further notes, partly with reference to Roger Wright's comments.
 
> >angle bracket `<' or `>': shows direction of an etymology
 
There is also a helpful convention whereby angled brackets are used
to show strictly graphemic material, e.g. "[v] is represented by
<b>"
 
 
> >asterisk `*': (1) (also `+') marks reconstructed form (double
> >asterisk sometimes used to mark reconstruction based on
> >reconstructions); (2) marks "expected" but unattested form; (3)
> >marks form as impossible (double asterisk occasionally used here)
>
> As you know, I have long been arguing for the use of "*" [plus
> phonetic script] for postulating reconstructable spoken forms, and
> "**" for denying the form's existence (your point 3); could you
> enter "**" as a separate entry?
 
Can I support Roger strongly. I think it is now becoming standard, at
least in OE, to use ** for impossible forms. Not only that, but such
a convention is vital.
 
> >capital letter: represents generic segment in reconstructed form,
> >such as N for `unspecified nasal' or V for `unspecified vowel'
>
> Would you be able to give a complete list?
 
I doubt that you could, and many of these are ambiguous - think of
the meanings of "D"!
 
 
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Richard M. Hogg            Tel: +44(0)161 275 3164
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