[#29] Writing about catalogs

terminology/terminology.tex

@@ -71,9 +71,35 @@ \section{Glyph block and collocation}
 the arrangement of texts into rows and columns}.
 \todo{Image/drawing which shows rows and columns of glyphs}
 
-\section{Analysis of an unknown writing system}
-Without linguistic decipherment, one of the first steps to analyze an unknown writing system, is
-to distinguish distinctive graphemes and their allographs. 
+\section{Cataloging of signs}
+One of the first steps to analyze an unknown writing system, is to identify distinctive graphemes 
+and their allographs. 
+In the past, several sign catalogs have been proposed.
+Yuri Knorozov created a sign catalog in his work (\cite[109\psq]{knorozov1967}).
+William E. Gates' and G\"unter Zimmermann's catalogs (\cite{gates1931}, \cite{zimmermann1956}) are 
+based on the Maya codices but did not include the signs from the inscriptions 
+(\cite[4]{thompson1962catalog}). 
+Eric Thompson extended G\"unter Zimmermann's idea and categorized all signs into affixes, main signs 
+(including animal heads) and portrait signs (\cite[4]{thompson1962catalog}).
+His catalog covers the Maya codices, the monumental inscriptions and other writings 
+(e.g.\ ceramics, vessels, bones).
+All catalogs assigned a number to each sign/grapheme.
+To distinguish between the different catalog systems, it is common to use a prefix in 
+conjunction with the number.
+So, for example, all Thompson numbers are labeled with ``T'', e.g. \thompson{510}.
+
+In 2003, Martha J. Macri and Matthew G. Looper proposed a new system which assigns all grapheme
+a code consisting of three digits (\cite[21,25]{macrilooper2003}).
+The first two digits specifies the category of the sign 
+(e.g. A for animals, M for signs with hands etc.) whereas the third digit is an arbitrary number
+sequencing the different graphemes.
+
+Mayawoerterbuch (classicmayan.org)
+
+
+\subsection{Problems and limitations}
+
+
 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.
 \textcquote[34]{knorozov1967}{Two [signs] are identical when they are both composed of the same 
@@ -82,12 +108,8 @@ \section{Analysis of an unknown writing system}
 One way to do this is the segmentation of texts into distinct graphemes.
 Further distribution analyzes confirms the connection and identification.
 
-\subsection{Catalogs}
-Thompson (T-numbers)
-Macri/Looper
-Mayawoerterbuch (classicmayan.org)
 
-\section{Problems and limitations}
+
 
 However, if there is no control in terms linguistics and content, 
 identifying graphemes in an unknown writing system can be challenging.