Vord categories

We can categorize Voynich vords according to many justfiable criteria. A method I have been using – as a tool for the study of LINES, or vords in the context of lines – is as follows:

Vords are categorised and marked in four categories:

1. Those with gallows.
2. Benched, but without gallows. ([ch] and [sh] vords)
3. The [daiin] group
4. Particles and sundries.

Vords with gallows are marked with bold.
Benched vords without gallows - [ch] and [sh] vords – are marked in italics.
The [daiin] group are marked green.

The particles and sundries are left unmarked.

The categories go in that order. If a vord might be in two groups, it is marked in the higher. There is an implied hierarchy.

As well, I have marked a keyword in red in some cases. This is the vord in the line that is nearest to the default vord QOKEEDY. Where it is not clear, it is not marked.

To illustrate the vord categories:

<f26r.P.3;H>

oaiin.shcthy.eteeda.oloy.ykeedy.olchedy.galy.sheey.saiin.s-

In this line the categories are:

1. Gallows = shcthy.eteeda. ykeedy.
2. Benched, no gallows = olchedy, sheey
3. The [daiin] group = oaiin, saiin
4. Particles and sundries = oloy, galy, s.

The vord YKEEDY is judged the vord nearest to the default QOKEEDY and so is marked in red.

The fourth group – particles and sundries – is a grab bag of things and could conceivably be sub-divided.

These groupings allow for the lexicon of Voynich vords to be given some order, according to simple, consistent criteria.

The groupings arise out of observation and are not statistically based. First we notice that some vords have gallows glyphs and some do not. Then we notice that a class of vords without gallows have benches – [ch] and [sh]. Next we notice that among the remainder are a class of vords featuring [daiin] and assorted variations of [daiin]. This then leaves a scattering of stray vords most of which are particles – single glyphs or short vords.

Another example:

<f43r.P.9;H>

dshedy.qotedy.dor.cheey.odain=

And another:

<f43r.P.12;H>

dor.shol.qokol.shedy.qotedy.qokehdy.qokody.okehdy.otedy.shedy.oty.yty.dy.saiin-

These categories give an adequate account of most lines. We could make finer distinctions in each category, but these broad groupings seem to arise naturally from observation to me and are justifiable.

R. B.