Special | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | ALL

---

Script Definition A script is a distinctive writing system, based on a collection of specific elements or symbols. Punctuation and other commonnly used symbols such as asterisk, questions marks, brackets, etc. are all components of a script. An alphabet refers only to the letters/graphemes in a script.

Socio-political Forces Definition Factors with a significant social dimension tkat have either underlying social, economic, or political root causes, which also have consequences within the social, economic or political areas. For example, the prestige status of Chinese characters was a significant socio-politcal force acting against the adoption of Hangeul.

Syllabary Definition A set of written characters representing syllables instead of a single phoneme. The Japanese writing systems of Hiragana and Katakana are prototypical examples of a syllabary.

Syllable Definition A syllable is a phoneme unit that contains at least one consonant/vowel plus another consonant or vowel. For example, CV [pa], VC [ap], or CVC [tap]. These CV, VC, or CVC units often correspond to certain meanings that we categorize as morphemes. In Korean, we see these nicely organized syllable blocks everywhere that often follow this pattern - such as 한 (CVC)[韩 - Korea] 국 (CVC) [国 - country]. In English, you will see many Latin/Greek syllable morphemes such as doc (teach) in words like doctrine, document, docent, etc. Syllables and morphemes are the building blocks of making words.