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Writing and Language (Pictograms, Cree Language, Mende Script)
| Nr. | Chapter | Page. |
| LIST OF CONTENTS | 2 | |
| INTRODUCTION | 3 | |
| PICTOGRAMS | 4 | |
| CREE | 5 | |
| MENDE SCRIPT | 5 | |
| CONCLUSIONS | 6 | |
| LIST OF LITERATURE | 8 | |
| APPENDIX 1 | 9 | |
| APPENDIX 2 | 10 | |
| APPENDIX 3 | 12 |
Spoken and written language is apparently different, with different purposes. Written language is eternal: the reader can go back over it again and again if the meaning is not immediately clear. This is not possible with speech, which is fleeting and brief. It has intonation patterns and pauses that convey meaning and also attitudes.
There are lots of written antique languages that I found interesting, but I studied just three. One is early writing systems all evolved from pictorial representations called pictograms or picture writing. Each pictogram was an image of the object(s). Another is Cree language that is the syllabic script of the Cree Indians which was employed for religious literature. Today this script is used by Cree speakers across Canada. And the other one is Mende script that was used by the Mende people of Sierra Leone. It is not only considered as writing system, it is a work of art.
The contrast between speech and writing comes into sharper focus when we consider that spoken language is acquired without specific formal instruction, whereas writing must be taught and learned through purposeful effort. Speaking and writing are different in both origin and practice. …
One is early writing systems all evolved from pictorial representations called pictograms or picture writing. Each pictogram was an image of the object(s). Another is Cree language that is the syllabic script of the Cree Indians which was employed for religious literature. Today this script is used by Cree speakers across Canada. And the other one is Mende script that was used by the Mende people of Sierra Leone. It is not only considered as writing system, it is a work of art.
