Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following best describes the relationship between language and writing?
Which of the following best describes the relationship between language and writing?
- Writing is universal to all cultures, just like language.
- Writing is a technology that represents language, particularly utterances. (correct)
- Writing is not a form of communication.
- Writing is the underlying meaning or concepts, whereas language is a representation.
Picture writing is considered true writing because it has a systematic linguistic structure and can easily convey abstract concepts.
Picture writing is considered true writing because it has a systematic linguistic structure and can easily convey abstract concepts.
False (B)
What is a grapheme?
What is a grapheme?
A grapheme is the smallest unit of a writing system.
The writing direction that alternates from left-to-right to right-to-left on each line is known as ______.
The writing direction that alternates from left-to-right to right-to-left on each line is known as ______.
Match the following writing terms with their corresponding descriptions:
Match the following writing terms with their corresponding descriptions:
In Greek, which form of the letter sigma is used at the end of a word?
In Greek, which form of the letter sigma is used at the end of a word?
Non-structural ligatures serve a functional purpose in language.
Non-structural ligatures serve a functional purpose in language.
What term describes the conventions of writing a language, including how graphemes combine to represent sound?
What term describes the conventions of writing a language, including how graphemes combine to represent sound?
A phonemic transcription, like /tuk/, is traditionally enclosed in ______.
A phonemic transcription, like /tuk/, is traditionally enclosed in ______.
Match the following terms with their definitions:
Match the following terms with their definitions:
What type of brackets are used to specifically discuss graphemes?
What type of brackets are used to specifically discuss graphemes?
English is traditionally written vertically in columns from the upper right.
English is traditionally written vertically in columns from the upper right.
In Arabic, where are short vowel symbols typically written relative to the preceding consonant?
In Arabic, where are short vowel symbols typically written relative to the preceding consonant?
A ________ is defined as a contrastive unit in a writing system, parallel to a phoneme or morpheme.
A ________ is defined as a contrastive unit in a writing system, parallel to a phoneme or morpheme.
What is the traditional writing direction for Mongolian?
What is the traditional writing direction for Mongolian?
All writing systems exclusively utilize linear arrangements of symbols.
All writing systems exclusively utilize linear arrangements of symbols.
What is the graphemic unit in Chinese?
What is the graphemic unit in Chinese?
Match the writing system with its traditional direction:
Match the writing system with its traditional direction:
What are the non-contrastive variants of phonemes called?
What are the non-contrastive variants of phonemes called?
Graphemes are the non-contrastive variants of allographs.
Graphemes are the non-contrastive variants of allographs.
Name two style variations of printed letters.
Name two style variations of printed letters.
In English, we capitalize the first letter of the first word of a sentence and the first letter of a ______.
In English, we capitalize the first letter of the first word of a sentence and the first letter of a ______.
The use of allographic categories is never determined by internal rules of the writing system.
The use of allographic categories is never determined by internal rules of the writing system.
What does Daniels argue about graphemic analysis of writing?
What does Daniels argue about graphemic analysis of writing?
Flashcards
Ligature
Ligature
A combination of graphemes forming a single visual unit in writing.
Orthography
Orthography
Writing conventions of a language, including representing sounds with letters.
Transcription (IPA)
Transcription (IPA)
A system of writing that consistently represents spoken language using phonetic symbols.
Transliteration
Transliteration
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Systematic Orthography
Systematic Orthography
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Writing
Writing
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Grapheme
Grapheme
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Allographs
Allographs
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Picture Writing
Picture Writing
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Phoneme
Phoneme
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Linear Organization
Linear Organization
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Graphemes for Segmental Units
Graphemes for Segmental Units
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Non-Segmental Graphemes
Non-Segmental Graphemes
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Alphabet
Alphabet
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Horizontal Writing from Right to Left
Horizontal Writing from Right to Left
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Vertical Writing in Columns
Vertical Writing in Columns
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Free grapheme
Free grapheme
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Bound grapheme
Bound grapheme
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Complementary distribution of allographs in writing
Complementary distribution of allographs in writing
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Free variation of allographs
Free variation of allographs
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Daniels' argument against graphemic analysis
Daniels' argument against graphemic analysis
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Study Notes
Introduction to Writing Systems
- Writing is not the same as language
- Language is universal, writing is not
- Writing is a technology to represent language, specifically utterances (sounds)
- Writing lacks systematic structure. Picture writing is not true writing.
- Writing is often ambiguous and cannot readily convey abstract concepts.
Linearity
- Writing and speech are both linear, but differ in flow
- Speech is temporal, writing is spatial
- Writing can flow in various directions (horizontal left-to-right [Latin, Greek], horizontal right-to-left [Arabic, Hebrew], boustrophedon [Ancient Greek], vertical [Chinese, Mongolian])
Graphemes
- A grapheme is the smallest unit of a writing system; analogous to a phoneme in speech
- A phoneme is the smallest unit of sound distinguishing one word from another
- Examples of phonemes: the "p" in "pat" distinguishes it from "bat"
Types of Graphemes
- Free graphemes: stand alone (e.g., English letters)
- Bound graphemes: require another element (e.g., diacritics)
- Diacritics modify graphemes and can disrupt linearity
- For example, Devanāgarī uses diacritics
Allographs and Non-contrastive Variations
- Allographs and non-contrastive variations of a grapheme are determined by context (e.g., uppercase vs. lowercase)
- Ligatures are combinations of graphemes into single units
- Orthography refers to writing conventions including grapheme combinations to represent sound
- Orthographies vary in regularity (e.g., systematic vs. less systematic writing systems)
Transcription and Transliteration
- Transliteration translates text from one writing system to another
- Transcription, using IPA, provides a consistent method for representing spoken language phonetically
Cuneiform
- Earliest known writing system, created by Sumerians.
- Used wedge-shaped impressions on clay tablets
- Precursors: Cylinder seals, clay tokens, and pictograms.
- Developed from pictographs to more abstract logographic and syllabic systems
- Used for administration, trade, record-keeping, and communicating long messages
- Spread to other languages (Akkadian, Elamite, Hittite, and others)
Egyptian Writing
- Earliest evidence from tombs in Abydos
- Objects: pottery jars, clay tags with inscriptions
- Hieroglyphics: pictorial script used for recording and religious purposes
- Hieroglyphics were later adapted into cursive styles for everyday use (hieratic and demotic).
- Papyrus was a main writing medium
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