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SUMMARY:What the science of reading can contribute to the history of writi
 ng\, and vice versa - Professor Aaron Koller\, Yeshiva University\, New Yo
 rk
DTSTART:20230428T153000Z
DTEND:20230428T170000Z
UID:TALK196120@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:John Mollon
DESCRIPTION:Historians who work on the history of writing are often unawar
 e of the ways in which the science of how we read constrains and shapes th
 at history. This paper will argue that some of the unsolved mysteries faci
 ng historians have ready solutions once the neuroscience is factored in. I
 n particular\, we will discuss the question of why the alphabet did not sw
 eep through the world for about a millennium after its invention\, and wha
 t sort of educational background the inventors of the alphabet must have h
 ad.\n\nIn return\, I will humbly suggest that scientists studying reading 
 may also benefit from a deeper engagement with the history of writing. Thi
 s part of the paper will touch on three questions: the interrelationship o
 f “meaning” and “sound” in writing systems\; the question of wheth
 er each language has its ideal writing system\; and whether there is a “
 most natural” writing system for humans developing writing for the first
  time. These issues\, discussed in the scientific literature\, can be enri
 ched by reference to the historical record.
LOCATION:Ground Floor Lecture Theatre\, Department of  Psychology
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