Chapter 7: Writing systems

Question 1

writing

Answer 1

the representation of language by graphic signs or symbols

Question 2

script

Answer 2

the set of symbols that a writing system uses

Question 3

orthography

Answer 3

the set of conventions that determine how the symbols are employed to write the language, can be grouped into 2 basic types: logographic & phonographic

Question 4

logographic writing

Answer 4

the oldest type of genuine writing
refers to a type of language where symbols (logograms) represent morphemes or even entire words

Question 5

phonographic writing

Answer 5

symbols represent syllables or phonemes, 2 principal types of phonographic writing systems- syllabic, alphabetic

Question 6

syllabic writing

Answer 6

employs signs to represent syllables

Question 7

syllabary

Answer 7

set of syllabic signs

Question 8

alphabetic writing

Answer 8

represents consonants and vowel segments

Question 9

abjab

Answer 9

used by languages such as Hebrew and Arabic, vowels are either entirely absent or are optionally expressed with the help of diacritics

Question 10

abugida

Answer 10

used for Indic (such as Hindi) languages, all vowels must be represented

Question 11

pictograms

Answer 11

early writing systems all evolved from [pictorial representations] or picture writing
Each pictogram was an image of the object or concept that it represented and offered no clues to pronunciation

Question 12

blissymbolics

Answer 12

contemporary and very sophisticated form of pictographic writing
Makes use of a number of recombinable symbols that represent basic units of meaning
Main use today is to facilitate communication for non-speaking individuals