Re: [lojban] What's the logic behind Lojban's sound system?

[Adam Raizen <araizen@newmail.net>]

la uaxuctum cusku di'e

> Lojban is presented as a "logical" language, but so
> far I haven't been able to find the logic and consistency
> of its sound system.

The logical part has to do with the grammar and not the sound system. As far as
I know, the sound system was originally created rather idiosyncratically and has
evolved over the years, so it's more complex than that of some natural
languages. Probably the answer to most of your questions is "because that's how
English does it/because that would be hard for English speakers" and "for
historical reasons".

> 2) As full vowels i and u are spelled the same as
> their semivowel counterparts, how are diphthongs ii and
> uu to be pronounced, as 'yee' and 'woo' and Arabic 'yi'
> and 'wu', or as Arabic 'iy' and 'uw'?

as in 'yee' and 'woo'

mu'o mi'e .adam.