AHCL 2201 Lecture Notes - Ramesses I, Ostracon, Egyptian Language
29 Jan 2014
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Document Summary
Isolated symbols, not continuous speech: the early language was not long sentences or too complex, much like elsewhere, the development of language was largely the result of administrative needs. Language and literacy: the complexity of the language reflects the status of literacy in ancient egypt, most people were illiterate, some elites could write, but scribes were professional writers. Scribes held all the official positions in the kingdom. Many of them became quite wealthy and powerful. Not all people could write or read - not all elites could. Shows praising because you should be praising: the british defeated napoleon and took the found stone, which was a fragment of three languages - hieroglyphic, demotic, and greek. We could translate from the greek: jean-francois champollion (1790-1832) was the one to break the code. Figured it out by the cartouche - (the "handlebar-like" symbol which is placed at the bottom of the symbol that encloses the glyph for royalty.
