> ...
> > > First is the choice of <x> for /@/. As a better choice
> <y> has been
> > > suggested.
>
> I should have added that Lojban uses <y> for /@/.

That's lojban. This isn't.


> > This has been explained in previous postings as well as on
> > alt.language.artificial.
>
> I have read the entire archives of this list, and I think I
> have addressed
> all arguments I have found there. Where can I find
> alt.language.artificial? I've never been to Usenet.

news://alt.language.artificial

You will need a newsreader if you don't already have one installed.
If you don't you can get there on the web by using Google Groups.



> > <x> is really only a buffer to separate consonants, not
> connector for
> > compounds. I wanted to mark the separation to avoid the tendency to
> > run them together whereas there is an optional schwa after final
> > consonants that can be used for those who are used to
> speaking in all
> > open syllables. Some compounds do not have <X> because the first
> > component already ends with a vowel.
>
> Why is this a reason not to use /@/ as a phoneme like every other?

Originally there were only supposed to be the basic 5 vowels. The
schwa was later included because I wanted something distinct for
consonant buffering. It is used for forming proper nouns as well, but
will not be used for "native" SASXSEK roots.

> ...


> > There are major languages like Arabic, Russian, and even
> English that
> > do have /z/ so I wouldn't call it "rare".
>
> I don't know if any Sinitic languages have it... Mandarin doesn't...

It doesn't matter if they have a /z/ or not. They can still say [s]
(see below)

> > [s] is an allophone of /z/ anyway.
>
> Good.


> > > What is the difference between <ri> and <ru>? I can't
> figure it out.
> >
> > RI (adj.)is used to introduce a proper noun.
> >
> > ri misisipi
> > Mississippi
> >
> > RU is used to connect a proper noun to its noun counterpart:
> >
> > rivut ru misisipi
> > river by-the-name-of Mississippi
> > The Mississippi River
>
> Ah, now I see -- but do we need that distinction?

Well, yes. RI is an adjective while RU is a preposition.

FYI: These may soon be changed to LI and LU. The desicision just
hasn't been made yet due to the time needed to go over the
documentation and make the changes.