Syllabary: meaning, definitions and examples

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syllabary

 

[ ˈsɪləˌbɛri ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

linguistic system

A syllabary is a writing system in which each symbol represents a syllable rather than a single phoneme. It consists of a set of symbols that represent different vowel and consonant combinations. Syllabaries are often used in writing systems of languages like Japanese and Cherokee where the sounds can be mapped to syllables.

Synonyms

syllabic script, syllable system

Examples of usage

  • The Japanese writing system includes two syllabaries: hiragana and katakana.
  • In a syllabary, each character corresponds to a distinct syllable.
  • Some indigenous languages utilize a syllabary for their written form.

Etymology

The term 'syllabary' comes from the Greek word 'syllabē', meaning 'syllable', which itself is derived from 'syllabā', meaning 'to combine or to place together'. Syllabaries have been used in various writing systems throughout history, particularly in ancient and modern languages where syllables play a significant role in pronunciation and meaning. The use of syllabaries can be found in cultures such as the Native American Cherokee tribe, which developed its own syllabary in the early 19th century. In addition, the most familiar examples of syllabaries are found in East Asian languages, particularly Japanese, where hiragana and katakana represent various sounds and grammatical functions within the language.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,317, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.