\../ a__z = x : (.)(.) = ./ ?

[Drew UK]

Has anybody explored the idea of heiroglyphs/pictorial written language being more advanced than the use of coded letters/words to convey meaning?


According to the oxford dictionary, the 500 words used most in the english language each have an average of 23 different meanings - the word "round", for instance has 70 distinctive different meanings. It is often the case that a written statement could be interpreted in several ways by different individuals, thus rendering the statement subjective rather than objective.


I believe the use of a more pictorial language - i.e heiroglyphs would be more efficient in written communication and remove ambiguities associated with the permetation and combination of words and letters. Also, it would enable faster learning and would traverse human boundaries easier - it could also enable body language to be captured as well - giving the emotive direction of those that scribe it. Although I would prefer something more "technical" than these smilies.


In all, it should be superior to our written language system we have now, and since it has been used before and seems to be the preferred choice of these others - perhaps its worth considering developing it again,


Maybe all this SMS, forum and blog technology may be a step in the right direction after all - but remain undecided as yet.<O</O

 

[Gareth]

Please give me 10 different meanings for the word 'round'.

thanks.

 

[Xylo]

Please give me 10 different meanings for the word 'round'.

thanks.

Oooh I'll try!

1)Round: curved,

2)approximate to the nearest whole number,

3)not linear (straight)

4)not square (90*)

5)to turn a corner

6) A musical number in which phrases and melodies are sung in a repeated fashion.

7) a timed period during a boxing match

8)to gather livestock or other items (to "round up" the cattle)

9) to smooth a corner (round the frame)

10) a baking form for pastries

LOL I got 'em without a dictionary!!

 

[Chuckleberryfinn]

Quite right and meaningful distinctions you've made there. In addition to not round and not slanted, you should probably add not triangular, not trapezoidal, not octagonal, not the ocean nor a star, and not shaped like a pear or banana or half moon. If you like, you may substitute not like half a moon for not like a taco.

 

[Xylo]

Quite right and meaningful distinctions you've made there. In addition to not round and not slanted, you should probably add not triangular, not trapezoidal, not octagonal, not the ocean nor a star, and not shaped like a pear or banana or half moon. If you like, you may substitute not like half a moon for not like a taco.

I mentioned that I didn't use a dictionary, right?

 

[CapnG]

I'll disagree. Pictorial writing is more efficient but less precise and almost entirely dependant on context for meaning. Study an Asian language.

 

[Kevin Daly]

Pictorial/ideographic writing systems take much longer to learn, because of the number of symbols to be acquired.
They are also less flexible: with an alphabetic system (especially one in which, unlike Modern English, there is a close match between sound and symbol) a word which has never existed can easily be written, whereas in the alternative scenario it becomes a major creative exercise.
And so on.