1.5 Writing Systems

Figure 1.5.1 Agricultural information and calculations recorded on a clay tablet

Figure 1.5.2 A diagram showing how drawings have converted into the chinese script

Figure 1.5.3 A table showing similarities between the eastern and western languages 1.5 Writing Systems

The writing system was advanced from the time people drew symbols to depict objects, communicate with one another and portray events of the past. For example, was the symbol for sun and was used to show the mountains.

These symbols have developed into different scripts around the world such as Kharoshti, Pali, Prakrit and Brahmi in India, Hieroglyphics in Egypt and Latin through which English and other European languages have risen. However basic words used in everyday life have could have developed similarly across the world. Researchers agree that Latin and Sanskrit are connected since these following basic words are evidently similar in their pronunciation, leading to the modern languages such as Hindi and Urdu being similar to western languages as well.

Drawing Symbols Letter

English Latin Greek Sanskrit Mother māter mētēr mātárFather pater pater pitárBrother frāter phreter bhrātarSister soror eor svásarHouse domus do dām-

Author Yuval Noah Harari’s book of Sapiens shows that the first scripts invented were partial rather than full scripts, since humans only felt the need to record larger numbers. A partial script only records what falls out of the regular spoken language. A full script on the other hand, is a system that can express almost everything which can be spoken for example, stories and poetry.

The Sumerian script is said to be one of the oldest scripts – a partial script (along with other mathematical scripts). Some cultures had partial scripts which were so different that experts refuse to even consider them as scripts, since they were not written on clay tablets or pieces of paper. One example is the use of quipus. Quipus worked by tying knots on cords to record large mathematical data, such as tax records of large kingdoms. Each quipu consisted of many different colored cords made from wool or cotton. Knots were tied in different places of each cord, so the whole quipu could contain thousands of knots. Quipus were very efficient and were used in many parts of South America and Spain. Mathematics and Language are both essential subjects for the functioning of humans today. They have been interconnected through the art of scripts, however as stated previously, some people recorded calculations without using written scripts such as the quipus. Unfortunately, the quipus have become extinct and the use of abacus is declining at a high rate. The museum can incorporate the learnings of these systems as part of the program to enhance the it’s contribution to the revival of olden languages and techniques. This will also improve the participation and involvement of the visitors.

Figure 1.5.4 A sketch of a man holding a quipu