Ok. Try not to laugh; actually, no, go ahead if you want! But this curiosity has erupted:

In my (English) language, there are 26 symbols which represent how to pronounce sounds which make up common words.
1. a) How many languages are there on the planet which have symbols for the same sounds we use?
b) Using the "G" in my name, for instance, if I spoke (albeit, through an interpreter)to someone who did not have the English-assigned sound for 'G' or that symbol, how might I prove to that person it exists? How much would I have to leave to their trusting me that it's in use and widely recognized?

2. Given that some languages use unique sounds as well, and that there are sounds we make that are not assigned single symbols: would you say the number of 'unassigned sounds' is finite? or infinite?

• Re: Finite - gobeo - January 28, 2001 - 03:08 UTC
  • so, maybe, really INfinite... - gwynj - January 28, 2001 - 03:26 UTC
    • Re: so, maybe, really INfinite... - yanniru - January 28, 2001 - 15:19 UTC
      • Re: Re: so, maybe, really INfinite... - gobeo - January 28, 2001 - 22:53 UTC
        • Re: Re: Re: so, maybe, really INfinite... - yanniru - January 29, 2001 - 02:00 UTC
          • Re: Re: Re: Re: so, maybe, really INfinite... - gwynj - January 29, 2001 - 02:49 UTC
      • Re: Re: so, maybe, really INfinite... - gwynj - January 29, 2001 - 02:48 UTC
    • Re: still maybe finite - gobeo - January 28, 2001 - 22:49 UTC
      • Re: Re: still maybe finite - gwynj - January 29, 2001 - 02:43 UTC
        • Re: Re: Re: still maybe finite - alexander - January 29, 2001 - 22:04 UTC
          • Hmmm - gwynj - January 30, 2001 - 00:45 UTC
            • Power notation. - alexander - January 30, 2001 - 02:28 UTC
              • of course! - gwynj - January 31, 2001 - 00:11 UTC