Writing Systems

There are three possible methods of putting pen to paper, or writing language, ideographic (pictorial), syllabic and alphabetic.

Ideographic. Use a symbol to represent a word. A well know example is Chinese. Ideograms do not give any indication as to the pronunciation of the word. This is a simplification of a pictorial system where a picture is used to represent a word.

Syllabic. A syllabic system divides a word up into syllables. Each syllable requires a different symbol or sign. So the word, internet, would be split into in-ter-net, and will need three symbols. A syllabic system uses far fewer symbols than a pure pictorial system.

Alphabetical.

Definitions:

Pictogram or Pictograph. A picture or symbol representing a word. E.g. a picture of a fish to represent a fish, or a picture of a hand to represent a hand.

Ideogram or Ideograph. A sign or symbol representing a word. The sign or symbol does not necessarily have any resemblance to the word.

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