From the dawn of time, every sentient life-form to have ever existed, every
civilisation to rise and fall or to have passed on into the distant mists of
myth and memory was able to make rapid advancements through the development of
a systematic means of transferring both formal and informal information; to express
thoughts both abstract or concrete; to communicate by the use of structured
sounds their hopes, their dreams, their desires, and to make these ideas known
to others of their kind.
The creation of a spoken language, even in the crudest most rudimentary
form, will swiftly elevate a given species to yet another rung on the long
ladder towards evolution and, one might surmise, enlightenment.
Oral tradition, however, is simply the beginning. Once a species have
progressed to such a point that the spoken word proves cumbersome and unwieldy
in the face of transmission on a much larger scale, or in circumstances where
absolute clarity becomes paramount, or when the survival of specific knowledge
becomes critical, the next obvious phase is to then codify this arrangement of
complicated sounds into a more portable, palatable, lasting, and instantly
recognisable format.
Thus the development of a system called 'writing.'
The manner by which 'writing' functions is that an otherwise arbitrary group
of forms or figures is chosen-- by mutual consensus --to represent the various
sounds of the oral communication and a specific meaning, or series of meanings,
is then assigned to any number of assorted arrangements of these figures
resulting in, for example, the reciprocative understanding of such concepts as
'rock,' 'cloud,' 'tree,' or 'stupid fat kid.'
Whether crude pictographic representations or a clearly organised alphabetical
system, the form of written language can only function properly and
consistently if the symbolism and representative meanings are then reinforced
by accurate and repetitive use and-- most importantly --if the meaning is
shared amongst all potential users by any number of educational mechanisms. To
those individuals who exist beyond the parameters of a given societal segment,
however, or to anyone who does not possess the proper means or methodology to
translate or decipher this cultural-specific code, the written form may present
itself as a mysterious (though ultimately meaningless) jumble of squiggles and
blobs, an incoherent mass whereby one might look at, for example...
Thus it becomes, by necessity, incumbent upon the individual to acquaint
themselves, lest one entirely abrogate their societal bounds, with the
systematic interpretation of the symbolism if there is to be further
communication.
The written code is developed to make things easier, understandable,
clearer, and, if nothing else, concise--all for the greater good of the
species. And it also exists so that long-winded and copious expository and
explanatory information (such as this) need not hinder the process by which
trade or commerce is conducted. Observe the following examples:
One could surmise that, looking at Subject A, an individual might initially
be compelled to enquire 'What is a Cafe au Lait?' Yet, in anticipation of
this very query, a description (either in a pictorial or written form
which uniquely clarifies and represents that which preceded it) is provided so
that it negates the necessity of the planned query through the pre-emptive
measure of already explaining the topic, inasmuch as offering the
information that a 'Cafe au Lait' is, in fact, 'Coffee and steamed milk.'
Additionally, a 'cost' or how much 'money'--explained in previous
discussions--one will be requested to produce in effort to attain said product
is provided to further simplify the 'transaction.'
Similarly, when confronted with an overpowering desire for a 'Mixed flavor
whippy ice milk' (Subject B) one can ascertain quite easily just what this
particular item is and what the 'price' of it is without needing to seek the
assistance of another merely by the studious and industrious application of
one's very own optic organ (wherever they are located and in whatever
configuration they may present themselves) and a moment of simple deductive
reasoning. Additionally, for you, hu-man, as this is entirely for your
edification (as the rest of the Universe have quite got the grasp of this
essential concept long ago) there is often the irritating necessity to aim a
single raised digit and point in aid of completing the revelatory act,
much akin to the bizarre and inexplicable behaviour of turning down the volume
on your mobile electromagnetic radiation frequency receiving and translation
devices when looking for a specific address during the act of driving, as if
somehow there is a critical inter-connectedness between the two.
As we have foreseen and understood (another evolutionary step you might
someday decide to take) that there will undoubtedly be some incessant need to
copiously reiterate this information in future communications as the process of learning slowly and begrudgingly imprints itself upon the
thin membrane of your cerebral cortex, we have taken the liberty of preparing a
small, succinct, and much more portable reference guide to which you and others
of your species may turn as the need arises.
A lot.