UID:
kobvindex_INT0001607
Format:
xii, 157 pages :
,
illustrations ;
,
18 cm.
ISBN:
9780199567782 (pbk.)
,
0199567786 (pbk.)
Series Statement:
Very short introductions
Content:
MACHINE-GENERATED SUMMARY NOTE: "Writing is the defining marker of civilization, without which there could be no records, no history, no books, no accumulation of knowledge. But when did this essential part of our lives begin? Why do we all write differently and how did writing evolve into what we use today? All of these questions are answered in this Very Short Introduction. Andrew Robinson tells the fascinating story of the history of writing, shedding light on its development and examining the enormous variety of writing and scripts we use today. Starting with the origins of writing five thousand years ago, with cuneiform and Egyptian hieroglyphs, Robinson explains how these early forms developed into hundreds of scripts, including the Roman alphabet and Chinese characters. He reveals how the modern writing symbols and abbreviations we take for granted today--including airport signage and text messaging--resemble ancient ones much more closely than we might think. The book also includes a chronology of events from 3300 BC to AD 2000, a list of titles for further reading, and an index."
Note:
MACHINE-GENERATED CONTENTS NOTE: Writing and its emergence -- Development and diffusion of wrtiting -- Disappearance of scripts -- Decipherment and undeciphered scripts -- How writing systems work -- Alphabets -- Chinese and Japanese writing -- Scribes and materials -- Writing goes electronic.
Language:
English
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