Introducing orthography and writing systems

Abstract

This OER delves into the fascinating world of orthography and writing systems, exploring the fundamental concepts and principles that underlie the written communication systems used by various languages around the world. Orthography refers to the set of conventions and rules governing the representation of spoken language through written symbols, while writing systems encompass the diverse methods and scripts used to express these symbols. Through an exploration of historical and cultural contexts, the resource examines the evolution of writing systems from their earliest origins to the complex systems encountered in modern times. From ancient pictographs and hieroglyphs to modern alphabets and syllabaries, the author uncovers the diverse range of writing systems that have emerged across different civilizations and regions. The resource also delves into the intricacies of orthographic systems, discussing the various components that comprise them, such as letters, characters, and graphemes. The concepts of phonetic and logographic writing are explored, along with the challenges associated with representing sounds and meaning through written symbols.