Introduction to the Curve-Line System

Voynich Manuscript

Abstract

This paper proposes a new pattern in the text of the Voynich Manuscript named the “Curve-Line System” (CLS). This pattern is fundamentally based on shapes of individual glyphs but also informs the structure of words. The hypotheses of the system are statistically tested by two independent people to judge their significance. It is also compared to existing word structure paradigms. The results suggest that the shapes of glyphs affect their placement in a word, the Curve-Line System is an  intentional feature of the text design, and the text of the Voynich Manuscript is a highly artificial system.

Review of the Voynich Manuscript transcription file

Voynich Manuscript

With updated Job’s Voynichese and OCR project, I thought a good place to start is an informal review of the digital transcription file of the Voynich Manuscript. I am referring to Stolfi’s “Interlinear” txt file from 5 December 1998 based on work by Landini, Grove, Friedman, Takahashi, D’Imperio, Currier, Reeds, Guillogly and Guy. It’s what everyone uses, including academic researchers. The quality of any statistical investigation rests on the quality of the transcription, which I think can be improved.