[innocentoldguy]

> In Japanese, an E column kana followed by I sometimes makes a long E, like in 先生 (sen + sei -> sensē).

While it is sometimes difficult to discern the combined E and I sound, especially for non-native speakers, the word 先生 (sensei) is technically pronounced "sensei" and should be spelled that way to distinguish it from words with long E sounds, such as ええ (ee) and お姉さん (oneesan). Similarly, the OU in 東京 (toukyou) and the OO in 大きな (ookina) are different and should be spelled differently. I hope this helps.

EDIT: Added a comma.

[kazinator]

Sure, and in a Japanese song, "sensei" can yield four beats or notes SE/N/SE/I.

But spelling out and singing aren't normal speech. Spelling/singing can break apart diphthongs, like NAI becomes NA-I.

生 is not written with い due to the /e:/ having a different sound from that one in from おねえさん. It does not (when you aren't spelling). It is written the way it is for ancient historic reasons.

> Similarly, the OU in 東京 (toukyou) and the OO in 大きな (ookina) are different

No, they are't.

> I hope this helps.

こう言うバカな戯言は少しも誰にも役に立つはずないんだぜ。

[innocentoldguy]

We are talking about writing/spelling, aren't we?

Why would you want to confuse the hell out of those learning Japanese by spelling せんせい (sensei) using an E with a macron, a la "sensē," when that is not at all how you spell it or type in phonetically in an IME? Having a one-to-one romanization for each Hiragana phonetic is far more logical for learners, who are essentially the target of romanized Japanese, than creating a Hooked on Phonics version that is completely disconnected from writing reality.

I also think your comment, written in Japanese, saying, "This stupid nonsense isn't going to be of any use to anyone," is both ignorant and uncalled for.