Another Short History of Linguistics (88)

Language is a means that help us to understand each other. Under this idea, any symbol do this job we may call them language. For instance the mathematics, and geometry. Any tools do this job may called as tools of language such as pen, paper, telescope and TV. For they help us to understand each other and nature. In fact, we may say any branch of study is to developing a new expressing system， either by language, by picture or by geometry etc. for this reason some linguist had said that the linguistics is the original wisdom of human kind, it started before any other knowledge and wisdom was known. 

When ancient people invented such symbols, their target was looking for something can be transmitted and remembered easily and simply. If every symbol of meaning are simple then their combination will be simple too. On the other hand if the size of a symbol is smaller they combined symbol wound be smaller too. Just like the mosaic, the smaller pieces make the clearer image, for our visual range is settled, each time we can only pick up a certain amount of information. How much information of a word, a character is contained, sometimes decided by the physical or writing size of them.  Here are some example for the smaller mosaic theory:

In Chinese language 离 means left, 别 means part with. Put them together 离别 means farewell. But if one want to express the idea that after the farewell they may never see each other again, they put two character behind these two characters 生死 means life-died. As 生离死别, here the 生 means life and 死means dead. Put them together as ‘life left dead part with’.