The "gallows" characters

[-JKP-]

There are so many examples of [q] where the character looks exactly like the left half of [t], and many like you describe where the left half of a [t] looks like a [q]. There must have been some connection between the two characters in the writer's head. Either the strokes were exactly the same and so he made the mistake unconsciously, or that there was some link between their meaning and the writer became confused as to which one he wanted.

I'm agnostic over whether there is a link between [q] and gallows characters, but would be happy to hear any theories or further insights.

I've wondered about that theory also. You are definitely right that they look similar. I wonder though if we do the same thing when we write our own alphabet: for example the change between [O] and [Q] or between [b,p,g,q] or [v,w] - or even [r,n,m]...

I am 100% sure that the Eva-q is based on the Latin 9 abbreviation, just as I am 100% sure that the j shapes are based on the Latin -ris and -cis shapes. I've mentioned this many times, blogged about it, and given visual examples as well.

• In Latin -ris and -cis are drawn exactly the same as in the VMS.
  
• In Latin, Eva-q is drawn exactly the same as in the VMS (as a 9 shape).
  
• In Latin -ris and -cis are almost always at the ends of words. In the VMS, they are almost always at the ends of vords.
  
• In Latin, Eva-q is sometimes at the beginning, occasionally in the middle, and frequently at the end. The VMS uses it exactly the same way.
  
• In Latin, the descender on -ris and -cis are sometimes shorter. In the VMS they are sometimes shorter.
  
• In Latin, Eva-q is sometimes in-line and sometimes superscripted, depending on scribe, language, and context. Same in the VMS. Usually in-line but you can find it superscripted.
  

There's really no doubt about their morphological origin. To a modern eye, the similarity between Latin "a" and "o" and the VMS glyphs is obvious. To a medieval paelographer, the similarity between Eva-q and Latin 9 is obvious.


What is not known is what they represent. In Latin -ris is a ligature combining "r" and the abbreviation for "is". In Voynichese, it could be a single letter or sound, an abbreviation, a marker, or something else. Borrowing a shape from Latin doesn't mean it means the same thing.