Difference between revisions of "Glyphs"

|world=Roshar

|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]

'''Glyphs''' are a writing system used on [[Roshar]] for basic communication, artistic expression, and religious practices. Individual glyphs represent specific ideas. They are typically symmetrical and can be rendered with varying degrees of stylization. Two glyphs may be combined into a '''glyphpair''', forming a word distinct from the constituent glyphs. Glyphs and glyphpairs are often designed as pictographs so that literacy is not required for comprehension. The writing system is not structured to facilitate the composition of sentences or more complex communication.

 

The usage of glyphs may predate even the [[Heraldic Epochs]], as they can be found inscribed, along with other patterns, on the [[Honorblade]]s themselves.{{book ref|twok|part=prelude}} They came into common usage among humans during the [[Era of Solitude]] and are said to have been given to the Rosharans by the [[Dawnsingers]].{{book ref|twok|33}} Glyphs seem to have a common origin with [[Thaylen script]], due to the presence of many similar graphemes. Though [[women's script]] became the primary writing system used in [[Vorin]] nations, glyphs are still used in many contexts.

 

 

Glyphs are inexplicably tied to the Heralds and [[Knights Radiant]]. The "ten fundamental glyphs" are derived from or related to the "swordglyphs" of the honorblades and the the Knights Radiant orders.{{book ref|twok|8}}. These specific glyphs also appear on some [[Shardblade]]s, like [[Sunraiser]].{{book ref|twok|13}} Upon speaking new oaths or taking certain actions, similar glyphs may naturally appear around a Knight Radiant, formed out of frost or mist. When [[Shardplate]] was worn by Radiants before the [[Recreance]], it had glowing glyphs etched into the Plate that trailed vapor with color corresponding to the Radiant's order.{{book ref|twok|19}} These have since vanished for unknown reasons.{{book ref|twok|26}} Some of these glyphs were known in the Era of Solitude, and others were not.{{cite}}

Glyphs are used for both basic communication and religious or artistic expression. Due to Vorin cultural prohibitions, men are not permitted to learn women's script and become fully literate. They are, however, permitted to use glyphs for the purpose of simple written communication.{{book ref|twok|3}} [[Lighteyed]] men, and some high [[nahn]] [[darkeyed]] men, may learn to read and write glyphs as part of their education, enabling them to identify glyphs that aren't portrayed pictographically and to interpret glyphpairs more readily. Despite this, men writing or drawing glyphs is still considered unmasculine or even blasphemous to some, especially among the lower classes. Educated women also learn to read and write glyphs, with greater emphasis than men on calligraphic ability.{{book ref|twok|3}} This is particularly important as women are traditionally responsible for religious activities which involve writing glyphs.{{book ref|wor|12}}

 

 

[[File:Kholin Crest.svg|thumb|150px|left|Dalinar's glyphpair]]

Highborn lighteyed families often have a distinct glyph and glyphpair. For example, the Kholin family uses the "khokh linil" glyphpair; stylized as a sword and crown, this crest appears on the armor, clothing, and banners of Dalinar's army and servants.{{book ref|twok|18}} Maps of the [[Shattered Plains]] use these glyphs and glyphpairs to indicate ownership of camps and plateaus.{{book ref|twok|24}} Slaves are branded on the forehead with a glyphpair of the district in which they were enslaved, to signify their new caste. The addition of a "shash" glyph brand, marking a dangerous slave, can make it difficult to get a good price for the slave.{{book ref|twok|4}} Upon earning their freedom, slaves may opt to cover these brands with a tattoo, including glyphs that reference the record of their release.{{book ref|wor|2}}

 

 

[[File:Glyphward1.jpg|thumb|200px|A glyphward]]

Sometimes these decorative glyphs my also take on a religious nature. In Vorinism, glyphs are often sewn into fabric or painted with a flammable ink. These "[[glyphward]]s" are then burned as a prayer. Young women may wear a "bride's prayer" on their sleeves prior to engagement, and soldiers may wear glyphwards into battle for luck and safety.{{book ref|twok|44}}{{book ref|twok|62}} Some even tattoo themselves with glyphs intended as a prayer.{{book ref|twok|55}} Women are typically responsible for drawing glyphwards for their families, though they may also be purchased at [[luckmerch]]es and apothecaries.{{book ref|twok|17}}{{book ref|twok|25}} While the practice of glyphwards is common in Vorin nations, many consider the practice to be superstitious. More pagan beliefs also surround the use of glyphs. For example, some believe that extrapolations of the "tenth glyphic paradigm" can be used to determine one's personality.{{book ref|twok|33}}

 

 

[[Stormwarden]]s must perform calculations and a great deal of research to determine the coming of future [[highstorm]]s. As men are permitted to become Stormwardens, their books and notes are written with glyphs.{{book ref|twok|60}} While this extensive writing is generally considered taboo in Vorin nations, the skill is too valuable for the practice to be forbidden. Few are aware of how this system of writing works because of the secretive nature of the Stormwardens and the surrounding controversy. When no suitable glyphs exist to convey a certain word, Stormwarden script combines the pronunciation of multiple glyphs to phonetically reproduce the desired word. This phonetic usage is indicated by underlining the component glyphs.{{book ref|wor|52}}

The component graphemes 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.{{qa ref|1112|25|Isaac on the design of glyphs|date=2014-4-16}} 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}}

 

 

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Glyphs were inspired by Arabic word art.{{qa ref|1088|1|date=2014-3-22|Technical details of the glyph writing system}}