Difference between revisions of "Glyphs"

Glyphs can be seen written in three different ways: a standard, block form that highly resembles Thaylen script; a calligraphic form, in which the glyph may be altered significantly for heightened aesthetics; or a radial form, where the glyph is drawn repeatedly with radial symmetry about some point.{{17s ref|post|105525|Stormlight Archive Translation Guide|date=2014-3-6}} They typically have bilateral symmetry{{book ref|twok|8}}, matching the symmetrical pronunciation of the sounds they represent. In some cases, glyphs appear to be composed of distinct phonemesgraphemes representing consonants.{{17s ref|post|105525|Stormlight Archive Translation Guide|date=2014-3-6}}. There are two styles of phonemesgraphemes: standard and calligraphic. The standard set of phonemesgraphemes are illustrated in a letter from [[Nazh]] concerning his investigation of the [[Calligraphers Guild]].{{file ref|Alethi Glyphs Page 1.jpg|Page of Alethi glyphs}} While these phonemesgraphemes are used in the design of new glyphs, many liberties may be taken in how they are utilized. As glyphs evolve in usage over time, these phonemesgraphemes are often distorted, combined, or lost such that they are no longer identifiable. The phonemesgraphemes often bear resemblance to the characters of Thaylen Script. When phonemesgarphemes are apparent, they appear to be pronounced outward and down from the center and top of the glyph.

The component phonemesgraphemes are not always readily discernible. Glyphs are often drawn in complicated ways that make it difficult to identify what they are unless a person knows what they are looking for.{{book ref|twok|27}} Lines are often added, removed, or contorted. In order to draw glyphs, one must have a deep understanding of how the glyph may be expressed without overly obscuring the meaning.{{wob ref|6461}} Additionally, glyphs are often drawn as pictographs--visually depicting the word it represents. This is done so those who cannot read glyphs may still understand what they mean.{{book ref|twok|3}}