Writing Systems and Phonetics

By: Alan Cruttenden

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Synopsis: Writing　Systems and　Phonetics　provides students with a critical understanding of the　writing systems of the world.　Beginning by exploring　the spelling of English, including　how it arose and how it works today,　the book goes on to address　over 60　major languages from around the globe　and　includes　detailed descriptions and worked examples of writing　systems　which foreground the　phonetics　of　these languages.　　Key areas covered include:　 the use of the Latin alphabet in　and beyond　Europe　 writing　systems　of the eastern Mediterranean, Greek and its Cyrillic offshoot, Arabic and　Hebrew　 languages in　south and south-east Asia, including Hindi, Tamil, Burmese and Thai, as well as　in　east Asia, including Chinese, Japanese and　Korean　 reflections　on ancient languages such as Sumerian, Egyptian, Linear B and　Mayan　 a　final chapter　which　sets out a typology of writing systems.　　 All　of　the　languages　covered　are　contextualised by　authentic　illustrations, including　road signs,　personal names　and tables,　to　demonstrate how theoretical research can be applied to the real world.　 Taking a unique geographical focus　that guides the reader on a journey across time and continents, this book　offers an engaging　introduction　for　students　approaching for the first time the phonetics of writing systems, their typology and the origins of scripts.