RE: How to decipher an unknown writing system?
R. Sale > 12-07-2020, 07:14 PM
Excellent! And now that we have these question, and various others, some of which lack the data to form a clear determination, what can be done to move forward? How will progress be made?
I am not a linguistics investigator; never was, tried, never will be. The only question I can answer is the one at the end. Are there other tracks? Yes, there are. Does the VMs contain any clues to its interpretation? The raw data is there to be seen, but are there more subtle hints, any off-camera cues to aid or guide an investigation. For instance, if the 4 x 17 symbol sequence were a simple substitution alphabet. That would be the type of clue. Of course it's far beyond that, but can it be said that this construction is entirely meaningless. Standard interpretations of the first six symbols reveal a complex interrelationship based on three different traditional systems; Roman numerals, Greek alphanumerics, and medieval numerals of the Typus Arithmetica.
Does the VMs, *was* the VMs originally constructed to contain the answer to its own interpretation? Does it contain the method to its own solution? Well, the linguistics side has been working on that. Alternatively, it contains the solution, and a method needs to be found so it can be interpreted. The VMs uses Stolfi's markers and other visual cues to designate two text segments on f71r, White Aries. Following traditional interpretations, the VMs artist has constructed a unique form of presentation. That implies, IMHO, that there was a reason to do so.