August 24th, 2011, 12:50 am
In my expansive hunt for Solresol resources, I came across an image that depicts an invented form of Solresol using patterns of lines and dots. I think it would be interesting to consider this as another usable form, but I have a significant improvement that could be done to it.
The improvement is a major one, but I think it would benefit this form more than harm it. Since the seven patterns already resemble stenograph form, I think the patterns should nearly mimic the stenographs. Here are my proposed patterns:
Do:
Re:
Mi:
Fa:
Sol:
La:
Si:
The line-only patterns directly mimic the stenographs. The dot-only pattern represents the circle that is "do". The two mixed patterns represent the half-circle facing in the direction of the lines (the half-circle in "mi" faces down, so the lines in my "mi" pattern go up and down, and similarly with "la"). So basically, the patterns with dots represent the stenographs with a curve.
I think a thick vertical line to separate syllables and a space to separate words would still work. I don't think accents should be considered in this form, since it's all about common patterns, and accents would make some syllables stick out from others.
I imagine this form being used in sewing and knitting when all seven colors aren't desired and the other forms would be too complex. In fact, a patchwork quilt would be an excellent medium for this form. Not to get too off-topic, but a related theory is that slaves on the Underground Railroad used patterns in quilts to communicate secret messages. It'd be kind of neat to use Solresol in a way that already has historical significance.
The improvement is a major one, but I think it would benefit this form more than harm it. Since the seven patterns already resemble stenograph form, I think the patterns should nearly mimic the stenographs. Here are my proposed patterns:
Do:
Re: Mi: Fa: Sol: La: Si:The line-only patterns directly mimic the stenographs. The dot-only pattern represents the circle that is "do". The two mixed patterns represent the half-circle facing in the direction of the lines (the half-circle in "mi" faces down, so the lines in my "mi" pattern go up and down, and similarly with "la"). So basically, the patterns with dots represent the stenographs with a curve.
I think a thick vertical line to separate syllables and a space to separate words would still work. I don't think accents should be considered in this form, since it's all about common patterns, and accents would make some syllables stick out from others.
I imagine this form being used in sewing and knitting when all seven colors aren't desired and the other forms would be too complex. In fact, a patchwork quilt would be an excellent medium for this form. Not to get too off-topic, but a related theory is that slaves on the Underground Railroad used patterns in quilts to communicate secret messages. It'd be kind of neat to use Solresol in a way that already has historical significance.
