demotic etymology

Etymology:

The term "demotic" derives from the Greek word "dēmotikos," meaning "of or belonging to the people."

Meaning:

In linguistics, "demotic" refers to:

• A non-standard form of language: A colloquial, informal, or simplified version of a written or spoken language that is used by the general population.
• A script used by the common people: A simplified and popularized form of writing that is used for everyday purposes, such as letters, receipts, and official documents.

Origin:

The concept of demotic language and writing arose in ancient Egypt. During the New Kingdom period (c. 1550-1070 BCE), a simplified form of hieroglyphics known as "hieratic" was developed for administrative and legal purposes. Over time, hieratic itself evolved into a more cursive and accessible form of writing called "demotic," which became the primary script used by the non-elite population of Egypt.

In the 19th century, the term "demotic" was adopted by philologists and linguists to describe similar simplified forms of writing in other ancient cultures, such as the cursive scripts of China and Japan. It also came to be applied to non-standard dialects and colloquial speech.

Examples:

• Demotic Greek: A simplified form of Koine Greek used by the common people of the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
• Demotic script (Egypt): The simplified form of hieroglyphics used for everyday writing in ancient Egypt.
• Demotic Arabic: A colloquial variety of Arabic spoken in Egypt and the Levant.
• Demotic Chinese: A simplified form of Chinese characters used for everyday writing and communication.

demotic relate terms

• hieratic

  Etymology The word hieratic derives from the Ancient Greek word hieratikos which m

• hieroglyphic

  Etymology Greek hieros sacred gluphē carving Meaning A system of writing

• demiurge

  Etymology The word demiurge comes from the Greek word δημιουργός dēmiour

• democracy

  Etymology The word democracy is derived from the Greek words dēmos δήμος mea

• epidemic

  Etymology Greek epi upon demos people Meaning A widespread outbreak of a

• script

  Etymology The word script is derived from the Latin word scriptum which means writt

• anecdote

  Etymology French anecdote unpublished or private story Late Latin anekdotos unpubli

• necessary

  Etymology Necessary from Latin necessarius meaning indispensable inevitable Mea

• scourge

  Etymology and Origin The word scourge comes from the Old French word escorgier mean

• fleece

  Etymology The word fleece comes from the Old English word fleece which is derived fr

• club

  Etymology The word club comes from the Old English word clubbe which originally ref