Pronunciation: [ˌɪdɪəɡɹˈafɪk] (IPA) 
"Ideographic" is spelled with nine letters, starting with the "eye" sound represented by /aɪ/, followed by the "dee" sound /d/ and "ee" sound /i/. Next comes the "oh" sound /oʊ/, then "grap" /ɡræp/. Lastly, the second-to-last syllable ends with the "ik" sound /ɪk/ and the final syllable has the "k" sound /k/. The word refers to a writing system that uses symbols or characters to represent concepts or ideas, rather than sounds.
The term "ideographic" refers to a system of writing or symbols that represent ideas or concepts, rather than representing specific sounds or words. It is a method of communication that relies on visually representing ideas or meanings using a set of pictorial or graphic symbols. Unlike alphabetic or phonetic writing systems that are based on representing the sounds of language, ideographic systems directly represent the concepts or thoughts themselves.
In an ideographic system, each symbol or character typically represents a specific idea, action, object, or concept, allowing individuals to convey or understand meaning without necessarily relying on spoken or written language. These symbols can often be understood across linguistic or cultural barriers, as they are not tied to any particular spoken language.
Chinese and Japanese writing systems are often cited as examples of ideographic writing, using characters or kanji that represent ideas rather than mere sounds or combinations of sounds. These characters are often built up from simpler pictorial elements or radicals that provide some clues to their meaning. In addition to characters representing concepts, the use of ideographic symbols can extend to numerical systems or mathematical notation, where symbols represent numbers or mathematical operations.
Overall, ideographic writing systems are based on the principle of visually representing ideas or concepts rather than representing the sounds of spoken language, providing an alternative method of communication that can transcend linguistic barriers.
Denoting that way of writing which expresses the notion or idea and not the sound, as in figures, symbols, or hieroglyphics; expressing or representing ideas.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "ideographic" is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: "ideo", meaning "form" or "shape", and "grapho", meaning "to write" or "to record". The suffix "-ic" is added to form the adjective. Therefore, the etymology of "ideographic" is rooted in Greek, and it refers to a writing system that represents ideas or concepts rather than sounds or words.
