Ancient language mystery deepens (Scotland)

BBC ^ | August 10, 2010 | Victoria Gill

[decimon]

A linguistic mystery has arisen surrounding symbol-inscribed stones in Scotland that predate the formation of the country itself.

The stones are believed to have been carved by members of an ancient people known as the Picts, who thrived in what is now Scotland from the 4th to the 9th Centuries.

These symbols, researchers say, are probably "words" rather than images.

But their conclusions have raised criticism from some linguists.

The research team, led by Professor Rob Lee from Exeter University in the UK, examined symbols on more than 200 carved stones.

They used a mathematical method to quantify patterns contained within the symbols, in an effort to find out if they conveyed meaning.

[x]

A linguistic mystery has arisen surrounding symbol-inscribed stones in Scotland that predate the formation of the country itself.

The stones are believed to have been carved by members of an ancient people known as the Picts, who thrived in what is now Scotland from the 4th to the 9th Centuries.

... so those would be ... pictographs?

[ansel12]

Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict--by Pink Floyd

[TheOldLady]

Haggis is not nasty crap. It’s quite good, really.

[The Comedian]

It's not a language or pictograph. It's actually the fossilized remains of Lilliputians riding atop a herd of Eohippus, tragically crushed flat by a falling garden gate into a muddy recess and perfectly preserved.

And whales used to be bears.

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[TheOldLady]

"...in an effort to find out if they conveyed meaning."

If? IF???

[humblegunner]

I wasn’t there but I recognize the style.

It’s designed to be easily interpreted.

[humblegunner]

Haggis is not nasty crap.

It's like a big fat sausage.

Nummy!

[dfwgator]

"Git yer haggis, right here. Chopped heart n' lungs. Boiled in a wee sheeps' stomach. Tastes as good as it sounds. Good for what ails ya.... ugh. Ugh."

[crz]

I isnt the figures they are stumped on, its the symbols on the top.

[SunkenCiv]

Rune thing leads to another.

[colorado tanker]

That woman is carring some mighty big picts.

[Zionist Conspirator]

It says “A bunch of guys got on horses and went somewhere.”

I’m Scots-Irish y’know.

ROTFL!

[Zionist Conspirator]

It’s either a recipe for whisky, or the rules of golf.

Okay, that's good too!

[Jewbacca]

Who is the skinny guy up top taking a whiz?

And why did he do it in front of the king there on the throne with the hole in his foot?

[righttackle44]

My last name is either Scottish or English. I’m rooting for the Scottish origin.

[11Bush]

Kull is King, Picts, fear him.

Easy translation.

[Waverunner]

I'll just look the symbols up in my ( drum roll please)

[humblegunner]

Origin of the royal lineage.
Symbol of home & hearth. Indicative of long standing (stable) origins.
He’s not taking a whiz, he indicating patrilineal descent.

But it’s fun to think maybe he’s pissing unto the king.

Who knows.

[dljordan]

“I’m Scots-Irish y’know.”

Damn! Me too (with a little Welsh), I could read it right off. It’s genetics I tell you.

[dljordan]

I’ve seen women like her walking around Boulder. Without the spears of course.