h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Since when was æ not a standard letter? What about encyclopædia? I agree that & is but æ definitely is not a logotype.

The dipthong æ is *not* a standard letter - it is commonly given as an example of a logotype as it *is* a "combination of two or more letters in a single unit of type", which is one of the two parts of the definition of a logotype, the other being a logo, ie "a name, symbol, or trademark designed for easy and definite recognition, especially one borne on a single printing plate or piece of type."

If æ were a standard letter wouldn't you expect it to be part of the alphabet?

Pimms

It depends which alphabet you happen to be using, it is in most scandinavian alphabets. Would you call é a logotype? It's not in our alphabet but you can't write french without it, it is also used in english.

dipthongs like ae are used to illustrate more clearly the non -english sounds adopted into english language