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What are ideographs?

Updated: 10/24/2023
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12y ago

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a graphic character that indicates the meaning of a thing without indicating the sounds used to say it; "Chinese characters are ideograms"

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12y ago
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6mo ago

Ideographs are written characters or symbols that represent abstract ideas or concepts rather than specific words. They are commonly used in logographic writing systems such as Chinese characters. Ideographs convey meaning through visual representation rather than phonetic sound.

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What are the similarities and differences of pictograph writing and ideograph writing systems?

Pictograph writing and ideograph writing systems are both non-alphabetic and rely on visuals to represent words or ideas. Both systems use simple drawings or symbols to convey meaning. However, pictographs are more literal and represent specific objects or actions, while ideographs are more abstract and represent concepts or ideas. Ideographs also often have multiple meanings and can be combined to form more complex ideas.


How did the Chinese writing start?

Chinese writing is believed to have originated over 3,000 years ago, evolving from pictograms and ideograms. The early system consisted of simple characters representing objects or ideas. These characters were later refined and standardized into the complex script used today.


How did they write in egypt?

In ancient Egypt, writing was done using a system of hieroglyphs, which were symbols that represented words or sounds. Hieroglyphs were typically inscribed on papyrus scrolls or hieratic script, a simplified form of hieroglyphs that was used for everyday writing. The writing was done using reed pens or brushes dipped in ink made from carbon-based pigments mixed with water or other liquids.


Why are the different Arabics classified as dialects when Romance languages that are more similar like Catalan Castillian and Galician are considered different languages?

The classification of Arabic dialects as distinct from each other is largely based on mutual intelligibility. While the Romance languages you mentioned have developed enough linguistic divergence to be considered separate languages, the Arabic dialects are closely related and often mutually comprehensible. Additionally, the political, cultural, and historical influences on language classification play a role in how different varieties are categorized.


Related questions

How old are ideographs?

The term ideograph was coined in 1980, however ideographs were likely used for hundreds of years, if not more, prior to this.


What were the first examples of Chinese writing?

Pictographs and Ideographs


What system forms the basis for the writing in East Asia?

Ideographs


What is the difference between Chinese pictographs and ideographs?

Pictographs resemble what they mean. For example, a pictograph of "Tiger" would be more or less recognizable as the image of a tiger crudely drawn. Ideographs do not resemble what they mean. However, Ideographs can resemble one another (i.e. the ideograph of "Tiger" may resemble the ideograph of "Lion", but neither would resemble a Tiger or Lion crudely drawn). Ideographs can also steal phonetic pieces (i.e. The ideograph for "Shipping" may have the ideograph for "ping" in it since "ping" is phonetically part of "Shipping"). Finally Ideographs can be composed of multiple minor ideographs working in concert (i.e. "Archer" may be written as combination of "bow" and "man" since the Archer is man who uses a bow). None of the combination-elements are present in pictographs.


What is a Blissymbol?

A Blissymbol is any of the ideographs in the Blissymbols language - a group of symbolic characters which can be used to assist people who have difficulties in communicating.


Which people use ideographs?

Chinese (and every country that uses Kanji or Hanzi taken from Chinese) Ancient Egypt used them, better known as hieroglyphs in that case. Sumerian called theirs Cuneiform. Even the English language contains some, the Arabic numerals (1,2,3,4,5,etc.) are ideographs and they have spread almost worldwide!


How do pictographs differ from ideographs?

Pictographs are graphic symbols making pictures which resemble what they signify. Ideographs are graphic symbol that represent an idea or concept independent of any particular language. For instance if you look at the international road sign for no overtaking, the two cars side by side would be Pictograph while the read circle and colouring of the sign is the Ideograph.


How did the writing start?

The first record of Chinese writing is on oracle bones from the Shang dynasty. Written Chinese probably began with pictographs and ideographs.


What has the author Nelson Ling-Sun Chou written?

Nelson Ling-Sun Chou has written: 'A new alphameric code for Chinese ideographs'


How is China's writing system different from cuniform and heiroglyphics?

China's writing system has pictures instead of symbols. China's picture names: -Pictographs -Ideographs


What is the difference between hieroglyphics and modern English?

Other than the words, ideographs vs. phonemical letters, direction of writing, complexity of concepts, typical font sizes, and linguistics, I can't think of anything.


What are ancient Chinese ideographs?

Ideo graphs are like picto graphs. They both represent an idea or a letter. So a symbol in Chinese showing a sun over the land could mean the sun is rising.