The rules so far (Missing Consonants, Clusters and Empty Vowels) decide which sounds get written. This one decides how many different sounds one sign can stand for. Greek had more consonants than Linear B had rows, so several sounds share a row.
Key idea
One sign, several sounds: r stands for r and l; the p signs cover p, b and ph; the k signs cover k, g and kh; the q signs cover kʷ, gʷ and kʷʰ; the t signs cover t and th. Only d is kept apart from t. And h is usually not written.
| Row | Stands for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| r | r, l | pa-ra-jo palaios, old; me-ri meli, honey |
| p | p, b, ph | pa-ka-na phasgana, swords |
| k | k, g, kh | ka-ko khalkos; ra-wa-ke-ta lawagetas |
| q | kʷ, gʷ, kʷʰ | qa-si-re-u gʷasileus, later basileus |
| t | t, th | te-o theos, god; to-ra-ke thorakes |
| d | d only | do-ra dora, gifts |
| (none) | h | e-ra Hera; i-je-re-u hiereus, priest |
Why it works
Why would a script blur sounds that Greek kept apart? Because it was not designed for Greek. Linear B adapted Linear A's signs, and Linear A's language may not have had all these distinctions. The Mycenaeans added some signs but did not build a full set for b, g, ph, kh and l. Readers coped, because in a list of goods the word was nearly always clear from context.
Common mistake
Thinking pa-ta must contain p and t sounds. pa could be pa, ba or pha; ta could be ta or tha. The reader knew from the word which one was meant. Check: when you turn a spelling back into Greek, try each sound the row allows: p, b or ph; k, g or kh; r or l.
Worked example: Spell it
How would a scribe write Hera?
- The h is not written.
- e alone is the vowel sign e.
- r writes r: ra.
Answer: e-ra
Worked example: Spell it
How would a scribe write theos (god)?
- th uses the t signs: te.
- o is a vowel alone after e: o.
- The final s is dropped.
Answer: te-o
Worked example: Many readings
Which later Greek words could po-ro stand for: polos, boros, phoros?
- po can be po, bo or pho; ro can be ro or lo; a final s is unwritten.
- All three fit the spelling. Context decides: written beside young horses, it is polos, foal.
Answer: All three fit the spelling; context points to polos.