The Ancient Egyptians used hieroglyphics to write and symbolize certain time periods, events, or dreams. Note: Hieroglyphics are not a language, it is a form of writing and literature.
Like us, the Egyptians had their own alphabet in hieroglyphics. For more, follow the link.
It was not until Jean-Francois Champollion discovered the Rosetta Stone, that the Egyptians awoke from their long undisturbed slumber. The script was developed B.C and there was a numeral system that went up to 1 million.
Hieroglyphics are a very distinct writing and can be read right to left, or left to right. You can tell which direction because the animal and human symbols always face towards the direction that the line begins. The hieroglyphics are divided up into four sections.
1. Alphabetic signs represent a single sound. Unfortunately the Egyptians took most vowels for granted and did not represent such as 'e' or 'v'. So we may never know how the words were formed.
2. Syllabic signs represent a combination of two or three consonants.
3. Word-signs are pictures of objects used as the words for those objects. They are followed by an upright stroke, to indicate that the word is complete in one sign.
4. A determinative is a picture of an object which helps the reader. For example; if a word expressed an abstract idea, a picture of a roll of papyrus tied up and sealed was included to show that the meaning of the word could be expressed in writing although not pictorially.
Hieroglyphics are a very distinct writing and can be read right to left, or left to right. You can tell which direction because the animal and human symbols always face towards the direction that the line begins. The hieroglyphics are divided up into four sections.
1. Alphabetic signs represent a single sound. Unfortunately the Egyptians took most vowels for granted and did not represent such as 'e' or 'v'. So we may never know how the words were formed.
2. Syllabic signs represent a combination of two or three consonants.
3. Word-signs are pictures of objects used as the words for those objects. They are followed by an upright stroke, to indicate that the word is complete in one sign.
4. A determinative is a picture of an object which helps the reader. For example; if a word expressed an abstract idea, a picture of a roll of papyrus tied up and sealed was included to show that the meaning of the word could be expressed in writing although not pictorially.