The problem of reducing language to writing and conversely that of interpreting written signs as language has been resolved through the development of different writing systems. This illustrated textbook introduces the major writing systems of the world (from cuneiform to English spelling) and analyzes their structure and function. It includes a review of the history of writing and a discussion of the literate mind and society.
Writing Systems
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Book Description
During its long history the problem of reducing language to writing, and conversely that of interpreting written signs as language, has found a variety of solutions which still exist in the form of different writing systems. This richly illustrated textbook introduces the major writing systems of the world from cuneiform to English spelling--explaining their structural makeup and how they work. It also includes a review of the history of writing and a discussion of the literate mind and the literate society.
About the Author
Florian Coulmas is Professor of Japanese Studies at Gerhard Mercator University, Duisburg. He has published several works on writing and written language including The Encyclopedia of Writing Systems (1996) and The Writing Systems of the World (1989).
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3.0 out of 5 stars
Good but not great,
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This review is from: Writing Systems: An Introduction to Their Linguistic Analysis (Cambridge Textbooks in Linguistics) (Paperback)
I purchased this with the desire for a thorough introduction to the discipline, and while it does this decently, I found the focus a bit too meandering in its flighty jumps from written language to written language. Perhaps some will prefer this way, using the languages themselves as examples; however, I must depart by thinking that a more thorough introduction would have made the examples more substantial.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Writing has been with us for several thousand years, and nowadays is more important than ever. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
graphic syllable, syllable blocks, vowel indication, phonetic indicators, linguistic fit, matres lectionis, phonetic interpretation, vowel diacritics, phonemic writing, consonant signs, consonantal alphabet, etymological spellings, cuneiform signs, syllabic alphabet, alphabetic orthographies, speech syllables, other writing systems, coda position, alphabetic notation, syllabic writing systems, syllabic values, graphic level, syllabic signs, writing reform, linguistic interpretation Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Old Hebrew, West Semitic, International Phonetic Association, King Sejong, Old Akkadian, Liu Hsieh, Classical Arabic, Near East, South Asia New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Writing has been with us for several thousand years, and nowadays is more important than ever. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
graphic syllable, syllable blocks, vowel indication, phonetic indicators, linguistic fit, matres lectionis, phonetic interpretation, vowel diacritics, phonemic writing, consonant signs, consonantal alphabet, etymological spellings, cuneiform signs, syllabic alphabet, alphabetic orthographies, speech syllables, other writing systems, coda position, alphabetic notation, syllabic writing systems, syllabic values, graphic level, syllabic signs, writing reform, linguistic interpretation Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Old Hebrew, West Semitic, International Phonetic Association, King Sejong, Old Akkadian, Liu Hsieh, Classical Arabic, Near East, South Asia New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 100
books:
See all 100 books this book cites
2
books
cite this book:
- The Korean Alphabet: Its History and Structure by Young-Key Kim-Renaud on 4 pages
- The Linguistics of Literacy (Typological Studies in Language) by Pamela Downing in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- Literacy and Orality by David R. Olson in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- The Origin of Writing by Roy Harris on page 109, and Back Matter
- Writing Systems of the World (The Language Library) by Florian Coulmas in Front Matter, and Back Matter
See all 100 books this book cites
- Second Language Acquisition and Universal Grammar (Cambridge Textbooks in Linguistics) by Lydia White in Front Matter
- Action to Language via the Mirror Neuron System by Michael A. Arbib on page 44
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