A Report for ED 202E

“Writing and the

Mind”
by David Olson
Lorna Gonzalez, Graduate Student

12 October 2009
University of California, Santa
Barbara
Picture generated at
www.wordle.net
Structure of the Chapter
 Language acquisition is a cultural practice; cognitive
processes & structures are transformed by language and
writing acquisition.
 Pervasive assumptions in theories of writing system evolution.
 History of Writing: The [Misleading] Evolutionary Story
 History of the Alphabet: Borrowing Script
 Learning to Read: emblems vs. abstractions

THESIS: Writing is a model for speech and communication,

evolved from adapted uses of the alphabetic system, and
employed for thinking about language.
“Words spoken are symbols
or signs of affections or
impressions of the soul;
written words are the signs
of words spoken”
Pervasive assumptions in theories
of writing system evolution

 Assumption: Writing is an expression of

speech, which is an expression of thought.

 Assumption: Inventors of writing systems

knew that language consisted of smaller parts
(phonemes, syllables, etc.). They simply
needed an “optimal” script.
Olson’s claim:

We read and hear speech

in terms of the categories
expressed in scripts.
History of Writing:
The [Misleading] Evolutionary
Story

The alphabet is economical (few signs) and

complete (visually represents anything that can
be spoken)
History of Writing:
The [Misleading] Evolutionary
Story
This story is misleading
because:

1.It assumes different levels of the

features of a language.

2. Alternative writing systems are

also optimal (i.e. Chinese
logograms).
Olson’s hypothesis:
Writing systems are developed
for communication, but they
provide a model for language
and thought because they can be
read and interpreted.
 has different syntax
than
3
Script is language & model for
• Homeric Greeks (oral tradition)
valued justice and courage
(exemplified by gods).
• Classical Period Greeks (literate
tradition) valued philosophy and
reflection.

Words became things upon which

to reflect; they no were no longer
emblems (i.e. sheep). Writing is a
History of the Alphabet:
Borrowing Script
Chinese Characters:
1.Iconic
representation (i.e.
sun)
2.Borrow the icon for
other words with a
Picture reference:
similar sound
3.Homophones for
farm1.static.flickr.com/6/68457700_1125
6e9d70.jpg

words which sound

the same
History of the Alphabet:
Borrowing Script
A property of Semitic (Hebrew &
Arabic) script
/K/ /T/
/B/
katab katabi
“he wrote” “I wrote”
ketob koteb
“write” “writing”
All can be written “ktb” (vowels not necessary).
History of the Alphabet:
Borrowing Script
Borrowing and manipulating script
for new & different linguistic
purposes allowed for categories of
speech to be seen and heard
more precisely (and therefore,
thought about as well).
Learning to Read: emblems vs.
abstractions
• Alphabet is a model for literacy
• children learn to read emblems
before they understand words

“4” = “four” but also

•“quatre”
Graphic communication is then a
model for verbalization.
Read the sentence below:

Oh, it’s you.

Which words are emphasized?
Is this a statement of disgust,
surprise, fondness, or some
other intention?
(Our writing system
represents part of the
Summary
1. Writing provides a model for
speech.
2.History of script is really a history
of borrowed and adaptations.
3.Scripts provide models of
language which are acquired in the
learning process and help us think
about language.
4.Script does not necessarily
account for tone/intention (& other
 THANK YOU
Handouts:
•Notes page
•Summary