What is a logographic language primarily composed of?

What is a logographic language primarily composed of?

• A. Letters that each represent a different sound
• B. Symbols that represent entire words
• C. Sentences formed by standard grammar
• D. Numerical representations of concepts

Answer: (B)

A logographic language is primarily composed of symbols that represent entire words or morphemes, rather than individual sounds. This characteristic distinguishes logographic systems from alphabetic writing systems, where letters correspond to phonetic sounds. For instance, in Chinese, each character can represent a word or a meaningful part of a word, making it a quintessential example of a logographic language. The other options focus on different types of writing systems. For instance, one option refers to letters that represent sounds, which aligns with alphabetic or phonetic systems. Another mentions sentences formed by standard grammar, applicable to any language but not specific to the logographic nature. Lastly, the option about numerical representations of concepts pertains to numeral systems, which are fundamentally different from language in that they quantify rather than convey meaning through words. Thus, the correct choice accurately identifies the core principle of logographic languages.

A logographic language is primarily composed of symbols that represent entire words or morphemes, rather than individual sounds. This characteristic distinguishes logographic systems from alphabetic writing systems, where letters correspond to phonetic sounds. For instance, in Chinese, each character can represent a word or a meaningful part of a word, making it a quintessential example of a logographic language.

The other options focus on different types of writing systems. For instance, one option refers to letters that represent sounds, which aligns with alphabetic or phonetic systems. Another mentions sentences formed by standard grammar, applicable to any language but not specific to the logographic nature. Lastly, the option about numerical representations of concepts pertains to numeral systems, which are fundamentally different from language in that they quantify rather than convey meaning through words. Thus, the correct choice accurately identifies the core principle of logographic languages.