Question

What does the word Ortography mean?


Answers (1)

by Lucy 12 years ago

I'm guessing you mean Orthography? It means a specific method or system for writing a specific script (written language).
Each language (that has a written form; there are still a few that don't) has its own orthography. The best known element of orthography is spelling, but it includes all the other aspects of writing as well, like punctuation, use of hyphens and capitals, word breaks and emphasis (eg accents as in French). Some languages, such as Turkish, have different orthographies, or the orthography can vary as in the differences between US and UK English.
Originally the word is derived from the Ancient Greek ortho, meaning correct, and graphein, meaning writing.
Most languages have a standardized orthography, ie you have to follow certain rules for spelling etc that are laid down in schools and textbooks etc. Some countries like France have special academies or other official institutes that decide which written forms are correct.


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