JAPANESE WRITING SYSTEM


Meaning of JAPANESE WRITING SYSTEM in English

System of modified Chinese characters used for writing the Japanese language .

The Japanese developed a mixed system, partly logographic (based on the Chinese writing system ) and partly syllabic. In the 9th or 10th century two sets of syllabic signs evolved: hiragana , simplified cursive versions of Chinese characters; and katakana , based on elements of Chinese characters. Modern Japanese is written with the two syllabaries and Chinese characters.

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia.      Краткая энциклопедия Британика.