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Nushu

( a script )

Type of script: Logosyllabary
Script category: Sinitic scripts
Number of characters: At least 2000
Writing-direction: Top to bottom, right to left
Names: Nushu

A script developed by women and only used by women, in a small area of the Chinese province Hunan. The language written is the local dialect, but the script is an ideographic script. It is used by women to write letters, for decoration on fans and scarves, and for diaries. It seems quite clearly to have been a reaction to male oppression.

More information

Article:    http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200204/18/eng20020418_94249.shtml   
Article:    http://members.aol.com/jiangyong/Nushu.html   
Article:    http://www.ancientscripts.com/nushu.html   
Article:    http://www.chinavoc.com/life/focus/wmbook.asp   
Article:    http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/2002/04/28/news/3150919.htm   
Article:    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A552-2004Feb23.html   
Article:    http://wwwsshe.murdoch.edu.au/intersections/back_issues/nushu2.html   
Site about:    http://www2.ttcn.ne.jp/~orie/   

Lars Marius Garshol, Ontopian.