Written language

The written language, also called a written language, refers to a system of signs that is not formally defined, but specific standards obeys and is in written form.

Written language is manifested in texts. It always starts with the word, the thought, the idea, which are only partly available but in the raw state. Contrast, are documents or documents of writing research in the physical condition available.

Development and conditions of literacy

The vernacular literacy in Europe since the 13th century experienced a boom with the growth of the urban culture. This rally has helped that not only the nobility and clergy, but other sections of the population access to the written language was made possible. In the 14th and 15th centuries gradually disappeared, the signals of conceptual orality, which were replaced by the appearance of conceptual writing. The driving force for this was the invention of printing with movable type, which books and newspapers could be spread in hitherto unknown conditions and used as an archive. Associated with this has come down to the present day, a typical media usage developed, whose change is being documented by the written language.

Today is often neglected, the writer which cultural, sociological and temporarily situational background at the time of Umformulierens of language had in writing. Background knowledge is of great importance to understand the author's intention. Furthermore, the " evidence of writing " ( writing ductus, motor skills, writing tool ) has received little attention. Instruments such as the typewriter and the computer have the recording of spoken language much easier because you can log this almost literally writing with them.

The ratio of written language to the spoken language

The different ratio of spoken and written language in history is reflected in three different positions in which the dependence of the written language is discussed for spoken language.

• The dependence theoretical approach for written language as a secondary, that is, depending on the spoken language. Here, the written language is merely the recording of spoken language. Written language is always fictional in its form of presentation because it uses a different medium. Originally it was in the spoken form.
• The autonomy theoretical approach suggests that the written language of their secondary function removed and the spoken language is equated. Their representatives share the view that there are two different forms of language in spoken and written language. They are also of the view that the cognitive activity of the individual is enhanced by addressing written language, which has implications for his handling of the spoken language can have.
• The relativistic approach weighs both positions against each other and recognizes both the relative autonomy of both language forms, as well as the connections that exist between them.

More and more and more important, the three-phase thesis ( Plan - Formulation - Revise ) because questions are always treated according to the linguistic formulation of written language until after the completion of the conceptual design.

Currently is also discussed whether thought processes represent not already in perfect sentence structure, or at least in complex word structures ( subsets ), or whether only the written language makes use of grammatical forms.