Communication Quote by Julian Jaynes
“Reading in the third millennium B.C. may therefore have been a matter of hearing the cuneiform, that is, hallucinating the speech from looking at its picture symbols, rather than visual reading of syllables in our sense.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind, 1976
Reading ancient cuneiform involved interpreting symbols as spoken language, not as modern visual reading.
In simple terms: Ancient reading was like hearing speech from pictures.
Key Takeaway
Consider how visual symbols can convey auditory meaning.
Themes
language
interpretation
history
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- archaeology
- education
- translation work
Key Concepts
Cuneiform
cognitive processes
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this suggest about the evolution of reading?
- Can visual symbols still evoke auditory perception?
A Different Perspective
Modern readers may misinterpret ancient cognitive experiences.
