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Chapter 16 Written Language

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54 views

Chapter 16 Written Language

Uploaded by

jemme0e
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chapter 16:

Written Language
This chapter delves into the fascinating world of written
language, exploring its origins, development, and diverse
forms.
GM
by Gee Ma
Writing
1 Symbolic 2 Learned, Not
Representation Acquired
Writing uses graphic Unlike spoken
signs to convey language, writing is a
language, distinct from learned skill and not
spoken language. instinctively acquired.

3 Recent Phenomenon
Writing systems are relatively recent inventions, dating
back only 3,000-5,000 years.
Pictograms

Picture-Writing Language-Independent

Pictograms use images to represent objects in a Modern pictograms are often language-independent
consistent way. and can be understood globally.

Cave drawings are an example of early pictograms.


Ideograms
Conceptual Meaning Abstraction
Ideograms represent Ideograms are a level of
concepts, not just physical abstraction from
objects. pictograms.

Language-Independent
Ideograms are not tied to specific words or sounds of any
particular language.
Logograms

Word-Writing Arbitrary Forms Examples


Logograms represent entire The visual form of a logogram The dollar sign ($) and
words, not individual sounds. does not reveal the word's ampersand (&) are examples of
meaning. logograms.
Chinese Writing
Morphographic Characters represent
morphemes, the smallest
units of meaning in a
language.

Dialect Independence Different Chinese dialects


can read the same written
text.
Large Number of Characters Chinese writing requires a
large number of
characters, up to 50,000.
Phonographic & Syllabic
Writing
1 Phonographic
Symbols represent sounds of words using the rebus
principle.

2 Syllabic
Symbols represent syllables, often with no visual link
to the sound.

3 Modern Japanese
Hiragana is a syllabic writing system used in modern
Japanese.
Alphabetic Writing

Consonantal Alphabet Greek Innovation Phoneme Representation


Early alphabets represented only Greeks introduced vowel symbols, Alphabets represent phonemes,
consonants, vowels were inferred. creating a more complete system. the smallest units of sound in a
language.
Written English
1 Mismatches 2 Borrowed Words
English orthography English has borrowed
often does not words from various
accurately reflect languages, leading to
pronunciation. variations in spelling.

3 Historical Influences 4 Pronunciation


Changes
Latin and French have
historically influenced Spoken English has
English spelling. evolved, leading to
silent letters in written
English.
Beyond the Alphabet
Boustrophedon Writing Abjad
Lines of writing alternate Writing systems
direction, often with representing only
letters reversed. consonants, vowels
inferred.

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