Graphemics and Diachrony

The analysis of writing is shown to parallel that of speech. Graphemes– that is, letter shapes–are analyzed in terms of the physical distinctive features of strokes, minimal pairs, and etic and emic components.

The analysis of writing is shown to parallel that of speech. Graphemes– that is, letter shapes–are analyzed in terms of the physical distinctive features of strokes, minimal pairs, and etic and emic components. Hence, GRAPHEMICS. In the development of Hebrew/Yiddish cursive from the medieval square forms, there is a clear tendency toward maximization of contrasts, elimination of redundancy, and evolution by means of drag chains and push chains; there is also some evidence of gradualness, and documentation of sub-emic change.

• By (author) H Minkoff