Blissymbolics
Origin
Blissymbolics were developed by Charles K. Bliss (1897-1985). Bliss
originally called his invention "Semantography" and intended
for it to be used as a universal written language which would enable
speakers of different languages to communicate with one another.
Since 1971 Blissymbolics have been used mainly as a communication aid for people
with communication, language and learning difficulties. Such people have
limited or no ability to use ordinary spoken and/or written language but manage
to learn Blissymbolics.
Notable features
- Blissymbolics consists of over 2,000 basic symbols which can be combined
together to create a huge variety of new symbols. - The symbols can be formed into sentences and their order is based on
English word order - The symbols are made up of simple shapes designed to be easy to write.
- Blissymbolics are used in over 33 countries.
A selection of Blissymbolics symbols
Links
Blissymbolics Communication International – a charitable organisation which promotes and supports
the use of Blissymbolics:
http://www.blissymbolics.org
Blissymbolics resources – includes an online dictionary and free fonts
http://www.symbols.net/blissre.htm
HANDICOM – includes software for writing in Bliss
http://www.handicom.nl/english/