How Writing Began...
Writing originated as pictures. People created symbols to get their message across, to communicate with others. Then, "gradually, the forms of the signs, became more abstract, especially when the pointed writing tools were replaced by reed styluses" (Diamond, 1997). As technology changed, so did our writing.
The next major step in the origin of writing was the development of the the alphabet. This involved a letter form standing for a sound. Alphabets originated around modern day Syria and were developed from a long timeline of "blueprint copying". Each culture adapted the alphabet to suit their own needs (Diamond, 1997). After the alphabet, vowel sounds were introduced.
Since Syrians developed an alphabet, numerous forms of technology have changed how we write as a society, from the invention of a lead pencil to a computer, and now in the 21st century, we have e-mails and texting. Writing has certainly come a long way, but it adapted to the need of each society and culture's needs along the way.
The next major step in the origin of writing was the development of the the alphabet. This involved a letter form standing for a sound. Alphabets originated around modern day Syria and were developed from a long timeline of "blueprint copying". Each culture adapted the alphabet to suit their own needs (Diamond, 1997). After the alphabet, vowel sounds were introduced.
Since Syrians developed an alphabet, numerous forms of technology have changed how we write as a society, from the invention of a lead pencil to a computer, and now in the 21st century, we have e-mails and texting. Writing has certainly come a long way, but it adapted to the need of each society and culture's needs along the way.
Diamond, J. (1997). Guns, germs, and steel: the fates of human societies. New York, NY: W.W. Norton and Company