Brill’s New Pauly

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Writing
(3,263 words)

[German version]

I. Definition

Writing is understood to be a set of signs for the visual preservation of human language. Within cultural history, creating and employing writing require (1) its usability, (2) a considerable degree of language analysis and (3) a triggering idea. Since writing can be mastered effortlessly even by six-year-olds and - once in existence - can be used for the most varied cultural purposes, the decisive fa…

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Röllig, Wolfgang (Tübingen), Wachter, Rudolf (Basle) and Rives, James B. (Toronto), “Writing”, in: Brill’s New Pauly, Antiquity volumes edited by: Hubert Cancik and , Helmuth Schneider, English Edition by: Christine F. Salazar, Classical Tradition volumes edited by: Manfred Landfester, English Edition by: Francis G. Gentry. Consulted online on 30 May 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e1104700>
First published online: 2006
First print edition: 9789004122598, 20110510



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