TELEVISION

Writing and Civilization: From Ancient Worlds to Modernity

Series: Great Courses
4.5
(41)
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Episodes
24
Rating
TVPG
Year
2013
Language
English
Publisher
The Great Courses

About

The written word is so central to modern life that it can seem as if it has always existed. Yet writing is a relatively recent invention. Trace the remarkable saga of 'visible speech' from its earliest origins to its future in the digital age. In this thrilling journey, viewers will explore how an array of sophisticated writing systems developed, then were adopted and adapted by surrounding cultures.

Related Subjects

Episodes

1 to 3 of 24

1. What Is Writing?

30m

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It has been said that writing exists only in a civilization and a civilization cannot exist without writing, but is that accurate? Consider the validity of this statement and examine several of the critical functions that writing has served during the past 5,000 years. Also, get an introduction to pictography and its limitations.

2. The Origins and Development of Writing

30m

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Now that the significance of writing is understood, explore three popular beliefs or myths about where writing comes from and how it developed. Investigate the theories of monogenesis versus polygenesis, whether writing was only invented once or independently in locations around the world, and the reasons writing systems are resistant to change.

3. Where Did Our Alphabet Come From?

30m

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Most alphabets in use today are derived from one script developed over 4,000 years ago. What accounts for the vast popularity of the Roman or Latin alphabet? This episode takes viewers back to ancient Egypt as the origin of the alphabet and the contributions made to it by the Canaanites are investigated.

4. The Fuþark - A Germanic Alphabet

30m

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Runes are often mistakenly thought to be a semi-magical system of signs used for divination and ritual, but nothing could be further from the truth. Look at the real history of the Runic alphabet (also known as the Fuþark) as a case study for why writing systems rise and fall.

5. Chinese - A Logosyllabic Script

30m

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In continuous use for almost 3,400 years, the Chinese script and its derivatives are used by more than 1.5 billon people around the world. Examine popular myths about Chinese writing as the earliest origins and evolutions of Chinese characters (known as Hanzi) are discussed, and differentiate between the five sign groups found in Chinese.

6. Japanese - The World's Most Complex Script

30m

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Borrowed and adapted from the Chinese, Japanese writing is the most complicated script ever devised, yet it's used by more than 100 million people daily. Investigate how and why Japanese writing took on the complex form it has today, why attempts to simplify it have had little success, and why it's unlikely the system will ever be abandoned.

Extended Details

  • Closed CaptionsEnglish