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How far did the dual system of the Iberian scripts extend?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by ·3 answers·0·0 following
Most likely: duality marked only the voiced and voiceless dental and velar stopsAhead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted.

Where it stands

Three answers have been proposed. Duality also marked distinctions in sibilants, vibrants, nasals and possibly vowels. leads, with evidence 1 for: partly supported by its tests. Two are still possible.

Why it matters

The dual system decides the transcription of every text: if it marked more than voicing in stops, current transcriptions merge distinct sounds⁠[1]⁠[2].

Answers 3

Evidence: 1 for
Most likely
Evidence: 1 for
Most likely
None of these.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: none yet
Still possible

History

  1. Ferrer i Jané puts forward: duality also marked distinctions in sibilants, vibrants, nasals and possibly vowels.
  2. Ferrer i Jané: the south-eastern script shows duality in a sibilant, a vibrant and the nasal as well as the stops.For: Duality also marked distinctions in sibilants, vibrants, nasals and possibly vowels.
  3. Moncunill Martí & Velaza Frías puts forward: duality marked only the voiced and voiceless dental and velar stops.
  4. Moncunill Martí & Velaza Frías: the dual marking of dental and velar stops is confirmed; extensions to other sounds are under discussion.For: Duality marked only the voiced and voiceless dental and velar stops.
  5. Asked on this site
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