ABSTRACT
[Abstract: This chapter introduces the three main types of spelling/writing system. In logographic systems, such as Chinese, symbols represent concepts with little or no representation of the sounds of the pronunciation. In syllabaries, such as Japanese hiragana and katakana, symbols represent whole indivisible syllables. Most languages use an alphabetic system, in which the symbols (letters) represent consonant and vowel sounds. However, English has a poor correspondence between sounds and letters, and measures of this are given. In languages with good correspondences, speakers may equate letters with sounds, but not in English.]
