Pasigraphies

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A writing system designed to convey ideas through visual symbols rather than words
2. An artistic representation of concepts using symbol-like graphics instead of traditional language
3. A method of communication that utilizes pictorial forms to express thoughts and messages

Etymology: Pasigraphy is a plural form, so the key word is its singular, "pasigraphy," built from Ancient Greek "pas" meaning "all" and "graphein" meaning "to write" or "to draw." Put together, the parts point to a system of writing or drawing meant to reach everyone, whatever language they speak. The idea behind it was a universal script: a set of symbols that could express concepts directly, so that a reader in one country could understand a text written in another without translation. The word names that kind of graphic, symbol-based representation, where pictures and signs stand in for the words of any particular tongue. Because the term draws on classical roots, it sounds ancient, but it was assembled from those Greek parts to name a modern notion of a language without borders. The plural "pasigraphies" simply refers to more than one such system or example.

Synonyms: universal writing, universal script