Signs of WritingBy treating writing as an independent mode of communication, based on the use of spatial relations to connect events separated in time, the author shows how other forms of writing obey the same principles.In Signs of Writing Roy Harris re-examines basic questions about writing that have long been obscured by the traditional assumption that writing is merely a visual substitute for speech.By treating writing as an independent mode of communication, based on the use of spatial relations to connect events separated in time, the author shows how musical, mathematical and other forms of writing obey the same principles as verbal writing. These principles, he argues, apply to texts of all kinds: a sonnet, a symphonic score, a signature on a cheque and a supermarket label. Moreover, they apply throughout the history of writing, from hieroglyphics to hypertext.This is the first book to provide a new general theory of writing in over forty years. Signs of Writing will be essential reading for anyone interested in language and communication. |
Contents
A theory of writing 1 Perspectives on writing | 1 |
Integrational semiology | 2 |
A theory of writing | 3 |
A theory of written communication | 33 |
Writing and temporality | 38 |
Writing and space | 45 |
A theory of the written sign | 50 |
A theory of writing systems | 55 |
Topics in the theory of writing systems | 89 |
Writing script and chart | 91 |
Scripts and levels | 95 |
Scripts and notations | 102 |
Graphic space | 121 |
mathematics | 134 |
71 | 145 |
Writing context and culture | 159 |
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Common terms and phrases
2nd edn activities alignment alphabetic writing analogies analysis Arabic numerals articulation basis biomechanical boustrophedon characters chart Chinese configuration context corresponding cultural Cuneiform diagram distinction Egyptian hieroglyphics emblematic frame emblems English example fact feature Figure form of communication forms of writing function Gelb Gelb's glottic glottic writing graphic space graphology Greek hieroglyphs history of writing horizontal human integrational point integrationist internal syntagmatics involved Islamic Calligraphy kind Labanotation language letters linguistic London macrosocial marks mathematical modern Nambikwara non-glottic writing notation organization of graphic particular pattern phonetic Plate point of view polyglyph possible principle punctuation question reader recognize rows runic alphabet Saussure Saussure's Saussurean script semiological semiologist sequence signature signification spatial speech spoken square structure Study of Writing Sumerian symbols tablature tabular writing tetraktys theoretical theory of writing tokens traditional typology visual word writing surface writing system written forms written sign written text