WRITTEN AND SPOKEN LANGUAGE

Introduction to Linguistics

  • Overview of written and spoken language

Writing

  • Definition: a symbolic representation of language through graphic signs.

  • Early examples:

    • Cave drawings in Magura Cave

    • Earliest writing: cuneiform (c. 3,500 years ago)

Pictograms

  • Description:

    • Picture writing: a picture represents a physical object (e.g., sun pictogram)

    • Language-independent; interpretation is conventional.

  • Historical context:

    • The Sumerian Kish Tablet (ca. 3500 BC)

Ideograms

  • Concept:

    • Symbol represents an idea (e.g., sun symbolizing light/heat).

    • Does not represent words or sounds.

  • Relation to writing systems:

    • Foundation of modern writing systems?

Logograms

  • Definition:

    • Word-writing: symbols represent words/phrases (e.g., Sumerian cuneiform).

  • Features:

    • Arbitrary relationships between symbols and meanings.

    • Chinese characters as examples.

Development of Sumerian Signs

  • Historical context and evolution

Rebus Writing

  • Definition:

    • Symbol for a referent used for the sound of the word for that referent.

  • Example: pictogram for eye (used for sound /ai/ in context like 'I')

Syllabic Writing

  • Definition:

    • Symbols representing syllables (e.g., Japanese symbols for 'ka', 'ti').

  • Characteristics:

    • Syllabary composed of syllabograms, no purely syllabic languages currently.

Bengali Syllabic Script

  • Description of syllabic symbols used in Bengali language.

Manipuri Syllabic Script

  • Overview of syllabic writing in the state of Manipur, Northeast India.

Alphabetic Writing

  • Definition:

    • Symbols represent single sounds or phonemes; developed by Phoenicians.

    • Basis of Semitic alphabet leading to Greek and later Latin alphabet.

Arabic Consonantal Alphabet

  • Example of Arabic script symbols.

Hebrew Alphabet

  • Overview and examples of Hebrew letters and their use in writing.

Greek Alphabet

  • Description of Greek alphabet's symbols and phonetic representations.

Correspondences Between Writing Systems

  • Comparison among Egyptian, Phoenician, Early Greek, and Roman writing systems.

Semitic Background of Our Alphabet

  • Analysis of the origins and evolution of Latin and other alphabets from Semitic scripts.

Written English Before Christianization

  • Example of runes and the Anglo-Saxon runic alphabet.

Changes After Christianization

  • Adoption of Latin alphabet, integration with existing runes.

The Middle Ages: Scribes and Manuscripts

  • Historical example from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.

Medieval Manuscripts and Marginalia

  • Exploration of decoration and illustrations in medieval manuscripts.

Printing

  • Introduction to printing in the 15th century and its impact on language.

Discrepancies in Spelling and Pronunciation

  • Effects of loanwords and attempts to restore sounds in English words.

Spelling Reform: Noah Webster

  • Introduction of new spellings in American English contrasting with British English.

  • Notable changes: honour → honor.

Spoken Language Features

  • Characteristics: vagueness, use of ellipsis, and intonation.

Intonation Patterns in Spoken Language

  • Explanation of structured intonation in statements vs. questions.

Discourse Markers in Speech

  • Function of discourse markers in conversation flow and structure.

Structured Interaction in Conversation

  • Features of conversation including turn-taking and adjacency pairs.

Comparison: Written Language vs. Spoken Language

  • Key differences in formality, recording, genre, spontaneity, and communication elements.

Sources

  • McCabe, A. (2011). An Introduction to Linguistics and Language Studies.

  • Yule, G. (2010). The Study of Language.