Editing Written language (section)

{{Short description|Representation of a language through writing}}
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[[File:A Specimen by William Caslon.jpg|thumb|upright|Specimen of typefaces used to write numerous languages{{snd}}from the 1728 ''[[Cyclopædia, or an Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences|Cyclopædia]]'' by letter founder [[William Caslon]]]]
A '''written language''' is the representation of a [[language]] by means of [[writing]]. This involves the use of visual symbols, known as [[grapheme]]s, to represent linguistic units such as [[phoneme]]s, [[syllables]], [[morpheme]]s, or [[word]]s. However, written language is not merely [[Spoken language|spoken]] or [[signed language]] written down, though it can approximate that. Instead, it is a separate system with its own norms, structures, and stylistic conventions, and it often evolves differently than its corresponding spoken or signed language.

Written languages serve as crucial tools for communication, enabling the recording, preservation, and transmission of information, ideas, and culture across time and space. The [[orthography]] of a written language comprises the norms by which it is expected to function, including rules regarding spelling and typography. A society's use of written language generally has a profound impact on its social organization, cultural identity, and technological profile.