1. Where will you find the writing system with the longest history of continuous use?

The writing system with the longest history of continuous use can be found in China.

2. What is the name given to the writing system used in Russia?

The name given to the writing system used in Russia is Cyrillic alphabet.

3. Which modern language uses a partially syllabic writing system?

There are no purely syllabic writing systems in use today, but modern Japanese can
be written with a set of single symbols which represent spoken syllables and is consequently
often described as having a partially syllabic writing system, or a syllabary.

4. What are the disadvantages of a logographic writing system?

One major disadvantage of a logographic writing system is that an extremly large number
of different written symbols within this writing system, although basic literacy is possible
within knowledge of only 2000 characters. To accomplish this, some principled method is
required to go from symbols which represent words (i.e. a logographic system)

5. What is the process known as rebus writing?

One way of using existing symbols to represent the sounds of language is via a process
known as Rebus writing. In this process, the symbol for one entity is taken over as the
symbol for the sound of the spoken word used to refer to that entity.

6. Can you briefly explain what the term ‘arbitrariness’ means as it is used to describe a
property of human language?

The forms of human language demonstrate a property called arbitrariness: they do not, in
any way, ‘fit’ the objects they denote.

7. Which term is used to describe the ability of human language-users to discuss topics
which are remote in space and time?

The term is called displacement. It allows the users of language to talk about things and
events not present in the immediate environment.

8. Is the fact that linguistic signals do not normally serve any other type of purpose, such as
feeding, a good reason to consider this unique property of human language?

No, the human language has many other properties.

9. What is the term used to describe the fact that, in a language, we can have different
meanings for the three words tack, act and cat, yet in each case, use the same basic set of
sounds?

The term is called discreteness. Each sound in the language is treated as discrete.

10.What kind of evidence supports the idea that language is culturally transmitted?
 People may inherit brown eyes and dark hair from their parents, but they do not
inherit their language. We acquire a language in a culture with other speakers and not
from parental genes. This process whereby language is passed on from one generation
to the next is described as cultural transmission.

https://wordwall.net/resource/15038856/development-writing
https://wordwall.net/resource/15042837/activity-2