Language is a system of units (words) and rules (grammar) that orders words to make meaning. While the specific words and grammar rules differ across languages, the underlying structure of combining words according to a grammatical system is universal to all languages. Writing only approximates the sounds of spoken language and obscures some aspects of language, as it is a surface-level record rather than a direct copy of speech. However, writing also includes ideographic signs and elements like word spacing that are not based on speech. Typography in particular has moved writing further from speech through the introduction of visual formatting.

6. what
is
language?

7. Language is a system of units and
rules. The units are words and the
rules are the forms of grammar which
order words. In different languages the
grammar rules are different, as are the
words, but the structure is still the
same in all languages: words are put
together within a grammatical system
to make meaning.

10. Ferdinand du Saussure

11. Writing obscures language
• To Saussure spoken
language is superior
to written
• The (western) alphabet
Tiger
r
only simulates the sounds
of the language

12. Writing obscures language
• Alphabetic
writing is like a
photograph
– An automatic
record of the
surface of
language

13. Jaques Derrida
Phonetic
writing
does not
exist

14. Writing is not a secondary
copy of speech
• Ideographic
signs exist
• Graphemes
;
214

15. Writing is not a secondary
copy of speech
• Derrida is
especially
interested in
iamacat
word spacing

16. Ellen Lupton
Typography …
has moved
writing away
from speech

17. 114

18. 1150
1320

19. Typografi is what language looks
like:
Dramatize the intrusion of visual
form into verbal content, the
invasion of ”ideas” by graphic
marks, gaps and differences.