Writing systems in the Mutul

The Mutul is one of the five cultures in Ajax to have independently developed a writing system. The ancestral form of writing and the only form in use in the Mutul for most of its history was the "Tz'ib'najal", a complex systems of iconographic glyphs that was further completed with logographic symbols. But in more recent times, when contact with foreign cultures multiplies and the need for litterate working class appeared, new systems appeared, either to help translation, learning, or just to allow day-to-day writing and easier recordkeeping. Various systems appeared to fill all these roles, but today the Mutul Government recognize 5 systems : the Tz'ib'najal, the Tz'ib'aeb'etob, the Tj'isxib', the Tz'ib'achuwenob, and the Chi'niin Script.

Structure

Mutulese writing consist of a relatively elaborate set of glyphs, it was a logosyllabic system. Individual glyphs (symbols) could represent either a word (actually a morpheme) or a syllable; indeed, the same glyph could often be used for both. For example, the calendaric glyph MANIK’ was also used to represent the syllable chi. (logographic readings are written in all capitals and phonetic readings in italics in the Chi'niin Translation.)

Different glyphs could be read the same way before the Literary Reforms. For example, half a dozen apparently unrelated glyphs were used to write the very common third person pronoun u-. Each block correspond to a noun or verb phrase such as his green headband. Also, glyphs are sometimes conflated, where an element of one glyph replace part of a second.

Mutulese is usually written in blocks arranged in columns two blocks wide. Within each block, glyphs were arranged top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Mutuleses glyphs are fundamentally logographic. Generally the glyphs used as phonetic elements were originally logograms that stood for words that were themselves single syllables. These syllabic glyphs perform two primary functions: they are used as phonetic complements to disambiguate logograms which have more than one reading, and to write grammatical elements such as verbal inflections which don't have dedicated logograms.

The 5 Officials Systems

Tz'ibnajal

The oldest system still in use, the Tz'ibnajal knew many modification all thourough its long existence. The first known examples of writing in Tz'ib'najal date back to 2900 BC, but it has known an important evolution and many reforms all thourought its 5000 years of use. At first, this script was only iconographic, and each glyph represented one word. But from the archeological evidences, we can see the slow apparitions of logographic glyphs that come and complete the words, to change its meaning or just to indicate its pronounciation.

Tz'ibaeb'et

"The writing of the messengers" is a simplified version of the Tz'ibnajal that appeared after the K'uhul Ajawob wished to form more litterate agents that wouldn't be either part of the clergy or of the aristocracy. This "democratic" version of the original script made easier the control of the transactions and to keep records of noteworthy activities. It is today the most widely used form of writing in the Mutul and use both iconographic and logographic glyphs, but they're far easier to draw and some symbols are absent, as a way to simplify the system. It has known many modification since it's creation 900 years ago.

Tj'isxib'

"Mouth of the common man". It is another simplified version of the Tz'ib'najal develloped later than the Tz'ib'aeb'etob, during the cultural revolutions of the 16th and 17th centuries. It is composed of 24 characters and is entirely logographic, making it one of the "easiest" scripts to understand. As such, it is deemed unfit for literacy purposes and is only in use for short messages, taking note, and other activities that require speed.

Tz'ib'achuwenob

"Writing of the Artists". Contrary to the other scripts, this one was born out of a wish for the scribes, priests, stonecutters, and other artisans to show their skills. The Tz'ib'achuwenob is entirely iconographic, with many glyphs sharing the same meaning, allowing for many meanings, the most of which are entirely lost on someone that hasn't spend his life studying this script. It is used for decoration, some religious texts, and poetry. The Tz'ib'achuwenobu' glyphs are extremely complex but allow for a great level of personification by the artists. No two glyphs are exactly the same even if the trained eye can recognize the "patron"-glyph. This is why it's never used for printing, despite being born 400 years ago in reaction to the democratisation of writing.

Chi'niin Script

Created by Jax Chi'niin, a famous Mutulese linguist, scribe, and priest, it is the official writing of Mutulese in latin script. It is mostly use at the international or in touristic locations, as a way to facilitate communication and trades with foreigners. it is also a learning tool, generally by people who desire to learn how to speak Mutulese. The teaching of the Chi'niin script is relatively encouraged by the government, who still prefer to see the Tz'ib'najal or the Tz'ib'aetob for daily uses. However, in foreign Mutuleses Schools or Universities, the Chi'niin Script is the main form of writing and openly promoted by the government.