From 898a58f58c9ed3ce07d1cebb7d92acfc7b34d205 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Sebastian Bauer <75776786+yax-lakam-tuun@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Wed, 10 May 2023 14:43:26 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] [#29] Working on glyphs and glyph blocks --- references.bib | 14 +++++++++++++ terminology/terminology.tex | 41 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++-- 2 files changed, 53 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-) diff --git a/references.bib b/references.bib index 3fb3de7..5a3547d 100644 --- a/references.bib +++ b/references.bib @@ -45,6 +45,20 @@ @book{knorozov1967 series = {Russian translation series of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology}, } +@book{bricker1986, + author = {Bricker, Victoria Reifler}, + title = {A Grammar of Mayan Hieroglyphs}, + publisher = {Middle American Research Institute, Tulane University}, + year = {1986}, +} + +@book{macrilooper2003, + author = {Macri, Martha J. and Looper, Matthew G.}, + title = {The New Catalog of Maya Hieroglyphs: Volume 1: The Classic Period Inscriptions}, + publisher = {University of Oklahoma Press}, + year = {2003}, +} + @book{crystal2010, author = {Crystal, David}, title = {The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language}, diff --git a/terminology/terminology.tex b/terminology/terminology.tex index 8869538..36d915f 100644 --- a/terminology/terminology.tex +++ b/terminology/terminology.tex @@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ \chapter{Terminology} \section{Grapheme} -\textcquote[p.204]{crystal2010}{Graphemes are the smallest units in a writing system capable of +\textcquote[204]{crystal2010}{Graphemes are the smallest units in a writing system capable of causing a contrast in meaning.} In linguistics, graphemes are often placed into angle brackets, e.g. \grapheme{a} or \grapheme{b}. Sometimes \emph{graphemes} are called \emph{signs}. @@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ \section{Grapheme} interchangeable throughout this work. \section{Allograph} -\textcquote[p.204]{crystal2010}{Graphemes are abstract units which may adopt a variety of forms +\textcquote[204]{crystal2010}{Graphemes are abstract units which may adopt a variety of forms \elide Each of these possible forms is known as \emph{graphs}\elide There is a vast amount of physical variation in the shapes of graphs that does not affect the underlying identity of the grapheme\elide @@ -26,6 +26,43 @@ \section{Allograph} \label{fig:terminology-grapheme-u-allographs} \end{center} +\section{Glyph and glyph block} +The term \emph{Hieroglyph} or \emph{glyph} is not an exact term. +In epigraphic literature, a \emph{glyph} is considered to be a group of one or more graphemes. +They can represent a syllable, single words or even a whole phrase +(\cite[1]{bricker1986}, (\cite[23]{macrilooper2003})). +\emph{Glyphs} are usually arranged in regular rectangular shapes called a \emph{glyph block}. +\textcquote[23]{macrilooper2003}{The rectangular shape of \emph{glyph blocks} results from +the arrangement of texts into rows and columns}. + +\section{Analysis of an unknown writing system} +In distinguishing distinctive signs and their allographs, prior to linguistic decipherment, +researchers followed the assumption that graphemes of a script are considered the same if +they resemble each other in more features than either resembles any other. +The convenient way to do this is the segmentation of texts into characters and the subsequent +verification by means of distribution analyses, which establishes the distribution and +connection among one another and confirms identification. +If there is no linguistic content control (character interpretation), +however, there is the uncertainty that graphemes and +their allographs are not recognized in writing systems rich in variants and erroneously +inventoried as distinctive characters with their own number key. + + +Yuri Knorozov states that, \textcquote[34]{knorozov1967}{Two [signs] are identical when +they are both composed of the same graphic elements\elide, whose drawing and disposition is +sufficiently similar to allow them to be identified.} + + + +Identifying graphemes in an unknown writing system can be challenging. + + + + +Eric Thompson (\cite[12\psq]{thompson1962catalog}) also recognized the method as a source of +potential false conclusions. + + Tikal Temple IV, Lintel 2 A7