The Writing Systems of the World

Part I: Theoretical Perspectives:.

1. What Writing Is All About.

2. From Icon to Symbol: The General Trend of Evolution.

3. Units of Speech and Units of Writing.

Part II: Writing Systems:.

4. Sacred Characters: The Theocratic Script of Egypt.

5. From Word to Syllable I: Cuneiform Writing.

6. An Alternative to the Alphabet: The Chinese Writing System.

7. From Word to Syllable II: Chinese Characters for other Languages.

8. Semitic Writing: Syllables or Consonants?.

9. The Alphabet.

10. Writing in India.

Part III: Practical Problems:.

11. From Letter to Sound: Deciphering Written Languages.

12. From Sound to Letter: Creating Alphabets.

13. Writing Reform: Conditions and Implications.

Part IV: Conclusion:.

14. What Writing Means for Linguistics.

References.

Appendix I: Ancient Near Eastern Chronology.

Appendix II: Far Eastern Chronology.

Index.