Writing Assignment 1 Oracle Bone Script-27d2mwn
Oracle Bone Script
Help Received: References
- INTRODUCTION
The current Chinese writing system is the only logographic system serving as a primary writing system for millions of people. The Chinese writing system has evolved over time from basic classification symbols all the way to a complex system involving thousands of characters. The Chinese writing system began with the development of the Oracle bone script. The impact of the development of Oracle bone script can be determined by examining the history of the early written language, the language design used in its development, and the written languages that stems from it. Oracle bone script is considered the earliest developed written language in China. Although the oracle bone script was not a matured written language it can be credited with paving the way for the written Chinese language. Without the early writing developments of the Shang Dynasty the Chinese written language would not have formed into one of the only logographic systems to serve as a primary writing element for millions of people.
- BODY
2.1 History and Description
During the Shang Dynasty, dating back to between 1200 – 1050 B.C.E., a form of writing was developed to serve a religious and political purpose. It is believed that the oracle bone script formed from early precursor symbols. Based on archeological findings it can be concluded that early Chinese civilizations used pictographs in order to lay claim to their possessions. They carved symbols into their belongings like pots and furniture. These symbols eventually evolved into functional written language [1].
Rulers during the Shang dynasty were passionate about seeking information regarding the future, and they believed that they could predict future events using fire. Major political decisions were made based on the findings created using the oracle bone script. Individuals who were interested in seeking out information regarding the future would search for a diviner, someone who had some sort of spiritual connection. The diviner would either purchase or find animal bones preferably turtle shells or ox scapula for their sturdiness and structure. Individuals in search of learning about the future would ask the diviner a specific question; for example, “Will we produce ample crops this farming season?” The diviner would carve two separate statements using a logographic script into the bone. The bone would then be heated until it began to crack. The direction in which the crack broke along the bone determined the future, and the declaration created by the diviner. Once the bone exhibited a crack the diviner would write a decree along the bone in the same script written before. Leaders of the Shang Dynasty would use these decrees to make powerful decisions in regards to topics like war, hunting expeditions, and crop harvesting [2]. The reason that the Shang Dynasty relied so heavily on the oracle bone script for these political reasons was that they believed in the power of ancestor spirits. Diviners could access the knowledge of their ancestors through the oracle bone script. This makes the language stem from a religious aspect in order to serve a political purpose.
It is interesting to note that not only did individuals transcribe the logographic language on bones during the Shang dynasty, but bamboo books were used as well. This is known, because there are written phrases on surviving animal bones describing such materials. Although the oracle bone script seems simplistic it served as a starting point for a functional written language in Chinese society.
2.2 Language Design
Despite the fact that the oracle bone script appeared to be archaic in that it was mostly made up of pictorial structures the script served as a fully functional written language. It is clear that the signs used in the script served a non-pictographic function. Signs found in oracle bone script are representative of the signs found in the modern written Chinese language. The way in which the script was transcribed onto the bones was often directed by the structure of the bone itself. According to individuals who study the script it appears that diviners attempted to write from top to bottom. Compared to later documented written language the scripture found on the bones was simplistic and limited in flow. It can be considered that this is due to the structure that diviners had to write on. Although the language on the bones is known to be function, it still was not fully matured. Often times symbols do not match up with the language, and in different circumstances symbols changed depending on the context of the situation. The inscriptions on the bones are readable, and the format of the logographs are extremely similar to the Chinese language. Once the vocabulary is known it is easy for an individual to transcribe the meaning from the bones. The characters are placed in patterns similar to that of later known written language [3]. Future Chinese civilizations built off of these developments that occurred during the Shang Dynasty in order to develop the complex writing system that is found in China today.
2.3 Following Oracle Bone Script
Complex writing systems developed from the ground-breaking development of oracle bone script. The oracle bone script began the formal written language in Chinese society. Modern day symbols have similar strokes to the oracle bone script. The needs of the society caused the written language to become more advanced. The more advanced the technology became the more advanced the language had to become. The oracle bone script began to evolve into more functional and advanced forms of written language near the end of the Shang dynasty. New materials and technologies became present that enabled the rise of a more complex writing system. Near the end of the Shang Dynasty bronze casting was created. The educated populations found that tales and passages could be easily inscribed into the soft bronze [4]. Due to the fact that bronze began as a soft clay before it was heated writers had the ability to form more fluid logographic characters. This interaction between the needs of a society and the advancement of technology caused the language to become more distinct. Shortly after the development of bronze writing individuals began using seal skin as a tool to present information. Sealskin was transportable, and much like bronze enable the writer to create more distinct characters [1]. The advancement in writing technologies in these cases improved the writing systems in ancient China. More information could be transcribed in writing on sealskin and bronze; because, they were accessible, and with the fluid writing, it was physically easier to write more. Although the characters did become more advanced and distinct; it is concluded that the basic structures developed for use in the oracle bone script remained. These are examples of how the advancing writing systems formed from the oracle bone script.
- CONCLUSION
In summation, the Chinese language began as a pictography system used to mark possessions. The Shang dynasty required a new form of language to assist in the complexities of the advancing societies. It is concluded that they had a fully functional language which they transcribed on bamboo books as well as animal bones. The scriptures displayed on the animals bones stood the test of time which enable us now to have a better understanding of the development of the written languages in China. Oracle bone script is considered the first advanced form of writing in china. Without the oracle bone script, the Chinese written language would not have evolved.
RESOURCES
[1] Mark, E. “Oracle Bones,” Ancient History Encyclopedia. Last modified February 26, 2016. http://www.ancient.eu /Oracle_Bones/.
[2] Chinese Literature jiaguwen 甲骨文, oracle bone inscriptions. January 31, 2017 from http://www.chinaknowledge.de/Literature/Historiography/oracle.html
[3] Oracle Bone Script. (2015, February 20). New World Encyclopedia, Retrieved February 1, 2017 from http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php?title=Oracle_Bone_Script&oldid=986719.
[4] Mark, E. (2016, January 28). “Shang Dynasty”. Retrieved January 10, 2017 from Ancient History Encyclopedia: http://www.ancient.eu/Shang_Dynasty/
