The CLL's comments on comma break audio-visual isomorphism. Chapter 3, section 3:

The comma is used to indicate a syllable break within a word, generally one that is not obvious to the reader. Such a comma is written to separate syllables, but indicates that there must be no pause between them, in contrast to the period. Between two vowels, a comma indicates that some type of glide may be necessary to avoid a pause that would split the two syllables into separate words. It is always legal to use the apostrophe (IPA h) sound in pronouncing a comma. However, a comma cannot be pronounced as a pause or glottal stop between the two letters separated by the comma, because that pronunciation would split the word into two words.

Otherwise, a comma is usually only used to clarify the presence of syllabic ``l, ``m, ``n, or ``r (discussed later). Commas are never required: no two Lojban words differ solely because of the presence or placement of a comma.


If this is true, then {.a,i} and {.ai} are the same word ("no two Lojban words differ solely because of the presence or placement of a comma") but {.a,i} can be pronounced like {.a'i} ("It is always legal to use the apostrophe (IPA h) sound in pronouncing a comma").

Both of this things cannot be true unless we restrict where , can go.

-Robin

  • My suggestion is to do away with either one or both of "no two Lojban words differ solely because of the presence or placement of a comma" and "It is always legal to use the apostrophe (IPA h) sound in pronouncing a comma", preferably the former, because in my mind "ah EE" {.a,i} is not the same as "I" {.ai}, but "ah EE" {.a,i} and "ahEE" {.a'i} are. - .aionys.


My view is the opposite: that pronouncing , as ' is bogus and shouldn't be allowed. --cowan

I prefer 's to ,s anyway, and it seems un-Lojbanically superfluous to have both characters with such similar usages. People can use them if they want, but I hope , doesn't become the standard. --Plastic Raven

CLL 3.9:

A Lojban word has one syllable for each of its vowels, diphthongs, and syllabic consonants <...>

The word {ai} has one syllable with a diphthong in its core. Therefore it is illegal to insert comma in it. — tengo