logographs
Words as single symbols
Logographs are written symbols that represent entire words or meaningful units rather than individual sounds.
Chinese characters are the most familiar example: each character stands for a complete concept or morpheme.
The term distinguishes these writing systems from alphabetic ones, where symbols represent phonemes.
Also called logograms.
Logographic writing system
- kanjiChinese symbols in Japanese
- hanziChinese logographic symbols
- cursive scriptConnected flowing handwriting style
- traditionalFollowing long-held customs
simplified · radicals · strokes · components · East Asian · Vietnamese · Korean
Stylus-impressed ancient script
- oracle bonesInscribed Shang divination remains
- SumerianEarliest known civilization
- EgyptianRelating to the pharaohs' land
- MayanOf ancient Mesoamerican civilization
Shang · Zhou · Akkadian · Mesopotamian · stele · clay tablets · proto-writing · archaic
Ornamental handwriting art
- brushworkPainter's stroke method
- inkstoneSlab for grinding pigment
- rice paperThin edible Asian wrapper
- brush penInk tool with pliable tip
inscription · carving · engraving · rubbing · woodblock · typography · font design · character recognition
Symbol using visual likeness
- semanticOf meaning in language
- determinativeSettling a matter conclusively
- radicalRoot-indicating symbol
- compoundCombined into one
stroke order · classifier · morpheme · character · glyph · grapheme · symbol · visual representation
Chinese characters
Logographic writing system
- kanjiChinese symbols in Japanese
- hanziChinese logographic symbols
- cursive scriptConnected flowing handwriting style
traditional · simplified · radicals · strokes · components · East Asian · Vietnamese · Korean
cuneiform
Stylus-impressed ancient script
- oracle bonesInscribed Shang divination remains
- SumerianEarliest known civilization
- EgyptianRelating to the pharaohs' land
Mayan · Shang · Zhou · Akkadian · Mesopotamian · stele · clay tablets · proto-writing · archaic · demotic
calligraphy
Ornamental handwriting art
- brushworkPainter's stroke method
- inkstoneSlab for grinding pigment
- rice paperThin edible Asian wrapper
brush pen · inscription · carving · engraving · rubbing · woodblock · typography · font design · character recognition · input method
pictogram
Symbol using visual likeness
- semanticOf meaning in language
- determinativeSettling a matter conclusively
- radicalRoot-indicating symbol
compound · stroke order · classifier · morpheme · character · glyph · grapheme · symbol · visual representation
logographsphonemes
Minimal sound distinctions
letters · phonograms · phonetic symbols · graphemes · alphabet