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Language Families & Writing Systems Reading Guide

This document provides reading guides for two sections on language families and writing systems. For language families, it outlines key concepts and terms the reader should understand, such as how related languages are classified and examples of language isolates. For writing systems, it identifies the major types of scripts that will be discussed, such as pictograms and alphabets, and differences between modern writing systems. It also lists learning objectives for each section and suggests strategies for effective reading.

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Megan Kennedy
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60 views1 page

Language Families & Writing Systems Reading Guide

This document provides reading guides for two sections on language families and writing systems. For language families, it outlines key concepts and terms the reader should understand, such as how related languages are classified and examples of language isolates. For writing systems, it identifies the major types of scripts that will be discussed, such as pictograms and alphabets, and differences between modern writing systems. It also lists learning objectives for each section and suggests strategies for effective reading.

Uploaded by

Megan Kennedy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Reading Guide – Language Families and Writing Systems Week of 4/13/15

Language Families reading: Chapter 8: The Genetic Classification of Languages –


Types of Languages (stop reading at the end of the section labeled “Types of
Languages”)

By the time you have finished reading this section you should be able to:
- Know what is meant when we say two languages are related (i.e. “English
and German are sister languages” or “Latin is the parent language of French
and Italian”)
- Understand the basics of the Genetic Model (including why we may or may
not want to use this model)
- Explain what a language isolate is (and know an example or two)
- List a couple other ways by which languages can be classified (not using the
Genetic Model)
- Identify the larger branches of the Indo-European language family

Writing Systems reading: You will read the following sections of Chapter 12: History of
Writing, Modern Writing Systems, Writing and Speech

When you have finished reading this section, you should be able to:
- Identify and differentiate the major types of writing systems (pictogram,
ideogram, logogram, syllabary, abjad/consonantal alphabet, and alphabet)
- Give examples of languages that use (or used) these systems
- Describe some differences in modern writing systems (pay close attention to
China – the variety of systems used by the Chinese is an interesting set!)
- Give a couple examples how written language relates to spoken language
(i.e. how punctuation fits in, how typefaces such as italics can convey spoken
details, etc)

Suggested reading strategies (pick and choose the ones that work for you):
1) Read the reading guide first
2) Highlight/underline key words from the reading guide
3) Read the reading twice: once skimming it for big ideas, the second time reading for
detail
4) Take notes by hand.
5) Restate the main ideas in your own words.

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