> In addition, traditional Chinese zither notation (qin pu) is also laid out in > ideographic-like square blocks. However, as this is a notational system rather > than a script, the constituent elements of each block represent string, finger > and plucking technique rather than phonetic values.
I was already after the first paragraph going to mention another writing system, and I'm even more strongly reminded of it by this second paragraph: Sign Writing, a writing system used for writing signed languages, first developed for transcription, though a number of language communities have started using it orthographically. In sign writing, the representation for a typical sign (I think I've heard that syllable might be applicable here) consists of an iconic representation of the head with various satellite symbols mostly representing the hands and hand movement, the whole being organized into a square space. It's even written vertically (at least by some user communities). Because there's an iconic relationship between the shape of the atomic symbols (the jamos) and the articulators, I find the shared characteristics with Hangul to be striking. But obviously, the zither notation you mention would be another very interesting comparison. (I'm sure the developer of Sign Writing (Valerie Sutton) knew nothing of Chinese zither notation when she started, and I'd guess probably wasn't particularly influenced by Hangul either.) > Perhaps a term could be devised that encompasses block layout (rather than > linear layout) scripts such as Hangul and small Khitan (and even Chinese zither > notation ?). And I assume you mean, not the Han ideographs, yes? Would probably be useful. Peter Peter Constable Globalization Infrastructure and Font Technologies Microsoft Windows Division
