TRACING THE DEVELOPMENT OF WRITING: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF SCRIPT SYSTEMS

Abstract

This study explores the historical development of writing systems, tracing their evolution from primitive pictograms to alphabetic scripts that underpin many modern languages. It offers a descriptive analysis of the key transitions that shaped writing practices across diverse societies and cultures. By examining historical, cultural, and technological influences, the research highlights the ways in which human communication has been symbolically represented through scripts over time. The study also engages with Chomsky’s proposition of Universal Grammar (1960), considering whether the origins of writing systems can be linked to a shared cognitive foundation for language. In doing so, it contributes to understanding writing as both a cultural artifact and a cognitive process, offering insights into the complex interplay between linguistic universals and diverse script traditions.