There are many different
approaches to writing:
This from the Omniglot
website:
Writing is a method of
representing language in visual or tactile form. Writing systems use sets of
symbols to represent the sounds of speech, and may also have symbols for such
things as punctuation and numerals.
Definitions of
writing systems:
Here are a number of ways to
define writing systems:
‘a system of more or less
permanent marks used to represent an utterance in such a way that it can be
recovered more or less exactly without the intervention of the utterer.’
From The World's Writing
Systems
‘a set of visible or tactile
signs used to represent units of language in a systematic way, with the purpose
of recording messages which can be retrieved by everyone who knows the language
in question and the rules by virtue of which its units are encoded in the
writing system.’
From The Blackwell
Encyclopaedia of Writings Systems
All writing systems use
visible signs with the exception of the raised notation systems used by blind
and visually impaired people, such as Braille and Moon. Hence the need to
include tactile signs in the above definition.
In A History of Writing,
Steven Roger Fischer argues that no one definition of writing can cover all the
writing systems that exist and have ever existed. Instead he states that a
'complete writing' system should fulfil all the following criteria:
•
it
must have as its purpose communication;
•
it
must consist of artificial graphic marks on a durable or electronic surface;
•
it
must use marks that relate conventionally to articulate speech (the systematic
arrangement of significant vocal sounds) or electronic programing in such a way
that communication is achieved.
Writing systems are both
functional, providing a visual way to represent language, and also symbolic, in
that they represent cultures and peoples. In The writing systems of the
world, Florian Coulmas describes them as follows:
As the most visible items of a language,
scripts and orthographies are 'emotionally loaded', indicating as they do group
loyalties and identities. Rather than being mere instruments of a practical
nature, they are symbolic systems of great social significance which may,
moreover, have profound effect on the social structure of a speech community.
Types of
writing system:
Writing systems can be
divided into two main types: those that represent consonants and vowels
(alphabets), and those which represent syllables (syllabaries), though some do
both. There are a number of subdivisions of each type, and there are different
classifications of writing systems in different sources.
•
Abjads
/ Consonant Alphabets
•
Alphabets
•
Syllabic
Alphabets / Abugidas
•
Syllabaries
•
Semanto-phonetic
writing systems
•
Undeciphered
writing systems
Differences
between writing and speech:
Written and spoken language
differ in many ways. However some forms of writing are closer to speech than
others, and vice versa. Below are some of the ways in which these two forms of
language differ:
•
Writing
is usually permanent and written texts cannot usually be changed once they have
been printed/written out.
Speech is usually transient, unless recorded, and
speakers can correct themselves and change their utterances as they go along.
•
A
written text can communicate across time and space for as long as the
particular language and writing system is still understood.
Speech is usually
used for immediate interactions.
•
Written
language tends to be more complex and intricate than speech with longer
sentences and many subordinate clauses. The punctuation and layout of written texts
also have no spoken equivalent. However some forms of written language, such as
instant messages and email, are closer to spoken language.
Spoken language
tends to be full of repetitions, incomplete sentences, corrections and
interruptions, with the exception of formal speeches and other scripted forms
of speech, such as news reports and scripts for plays and films.
•
Writers
receive no immediate feedback from their readers, except in computer-based
communication. Therefore they cannot rely on context to clarify things so there
is more need to explain things clearly and unambiguously than in speech, except
in written correspondence between people who know one another well.
Speech is
usually a dynamic interaction between two or more people. Context and shared
knowledge play a major role, so it is possible to leave much unsaid or
indirectly implied.
•
Writers
can make use of punctuation, headings, layout, colours and other graphical
effects in their written texts. Such things are not available in speech
Speech
can use timing, tone, volume, and timbre to add emotional context.
•
Written
material can be read repeatedly and closely analysed, and notes can be made on
the writing surface. Only recorded speech can be used in this way.
•
Some
grammatical constructions are only used in writing, as are some kinds of
vocabulary, such as some complex chemical and legal terms.
Some types of
vocabulary are used only or mainly in speech. These include slang expressions,
and tags like y'know, like, etc.
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