/r/protowriting

Photograph via snooOG

Writing systems that use ideograms and pictographic writing in order to communicate abstract concepts non-verbally. These writing systems were the precursors to 'proper' writing that represent spoken language.

A place to discuss writing systems that use ideograms and pictographic writing in order to communicate abstract concepts non-verbally. These writing systems were the precursors to 'proper' writing that represent spoken language.

Check out the wikipedia page for proto-writing. Topics might include such diverse topics as

  • historic proto-writing systems
  • the mechanics of various proto-writing systems
  • the relationship between writing and the cultures
  • the genisis of these systems (e.g., from petroglyphs)
  • the evolution into logograms and phonemes
  • information theoretic aspects of proto-writing
  • artistic beauty of picture symbols

Bonus points for conscripts for proto-writing systems

You might also like:

/r/asemic

/r/neography

/r/visual_conlangs

/r/protowriting

170 Subscribers

1

Living Naxi Script 4: Don't throw rubbish

0 Comments
2022/12/21
15:40 UTC

7

International whistle code on a whistle packaging

0 Comments
2021/08/29
15:22 UTC

4

Can anyone help me find examples of Semasiographic scripts?

Hello, I'm an HCI person and very interested in how symbolics get rendered in ways that can 'directly' represent the meaning. an 'onomatopoeia of writing', if you will.

  • Can anyone point me toward examples of Semasiography?
  • Have you seen ancient language that are semasiograhic in some part, or partial way?
  • Have you thought about one? Have any ideas?
  • Have you see examples where syntax is not linear, but rather grid-like meanings are natural?

Thanks so much for any and all ideas! Glad to talk about them.

3 Comments
2019/09/18
22:49 UTC

4

Interesting video on Penan tribe includes Ooro - a trail messaging system. Clip starts at ~20:00 of [52:28]

0 Comments
2018/12/05
23:21 UTC

3

Evolution of writing [9:05]

0 Comments
2018/07/23
04:51 UTC

8

Modern "constructed" proto-writing systems

In other words, I'm looking for a "conscript" / "neography" that does not attempt to reproduce a language, but instead reproduce actual concepts (usually relatively simple ones).

Here are a few examples I've found so far:

  • Toki Pona - An attempt at a controlled language that is roughly as simplistic as a pidgin. When designing the language, they also came up with a system of simple glyphs for each concept.
  • Emojis (maybe?)
  • Blissymbols - Possibly the most successful attempt so far? I still have to investigate further
  • Real Character - Somewhat hard to find more recent information on this. Seemingly failed / abandoned?
  • iConji - An attempt at a text-messaging app that only uses pictograms. Appears to have been abandoned.

If you've found any other modern proto-writing systems, I'd love to hear about them!

3 Comments
2018/06/01
03:18 UTC

4

Neolithic Sacred Symbols, part 1 [34:46]

0 Comments
2018/05/05
21:45 UTC

4

Entirely theory: a Vinča vessel inscription possibly reveals meaning of life and well everything.

Could this inscription possibly be read from right-to-left? Who is to fully know protowriting rules? Well if read right-to-left and, please keep up with what is to be announced, the inscriptions are pictographic by nature. If one acknowledges a mature insight to human reproduction phases please follow along to the story about to be told. First off, first character introduced resembles a penis. Yes, flat out I came out and said it. Penis. Understood automatically as man. Second character to introduce resembles a vulva. "V". Venus. Woman, different person- not man. My theory with this is this story reveals two people meeting. If first character is condition of man then what does character three relate? Possibly a phallus? This story goes that two people meet. So why is that then? No netflexing chilled moves seem to occur on this innocent vessel so what gives 1+2=3? Well what gives is that what is understood about man is that he has just a penis. Just that. Not erect like phallus character number 3? (*note also how character 1 is not erect but points down in a relaxed natural manner. Character 3 is not this case but erect plus line drawed up simulating drawn/raised energy.**note also for pentagram lovers that pentagram down represents the 'gift of God' as opposed pentagram up which represents man's 'appraisal to God' -possible euphemisms? o;) Character 4 introduced gives my theory a sound confession that possibly all introduced could be trashed but this single character"l" could be "I" as in person about to be transmitted, sperm, the one to be the gift of God. 5th character is already known in this theory as women so why introduce again "V?" Well the possibility could be to explain character 4's existence. To transmit "l,"sperm, the receiving vulva needs to be depicted again not to interpret woman as existing but in sexual act with man with the phallus character number 3. Ultimate character number 6 is the perfect result of birth. Represented by 3 "l's" or 'I's' or 3 peoples. In gematria 5 is number of man in creation. Number 6 is also number of man in perfect birth that it took 2 lll's or two different set of people to have a male and female meet. 6th place for the gift of God. The sun, wether male or female. Thus there my 2-cent theory.

Edit: My first post, I'm sorry. Here is the refence link: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vin%C4%8Da_symbols#/media/File%3AVinca_vessel.png

2 Comments
2018/02/21
05:58 UTC

3

Why are these 32 symbols found in caves all over Europe [12:05]

0 Comments
2017/06/27
03:30 UTC

1

The Birth of New Sign Language in Nicaragua [6:58]

0 Comments
2017/05/10
02:49 UTC

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