EVER wondered what hieroglyph is? Well, it’s the Greek for ‘sacred writing’ or a character of the ancient Egyptian writing system. It is not only unique script but also one of the oldest ways of writing in symbols and signs in the history of human civilisations.

Visually, hieroglyphs are figurative: they represent real or illusionary elements, sometimes stylised and sometimes simplified, but are perfectly recognisable in form. However, the same sign can, according to context, be interpreted in diverse ways: as a phonogram, as a logogram, or as an ideogram.

Similarly, Egyptian hieroglyphs were a formal writing system used by the ancient Egyptians that combined logographic and alphabetic elements. Egyptians used cursive hieroglyphs for religious literature on papyrus and wood.

But we are not going into ‘hieroglyphs’ in detail, and would stick only to our fun browsing experience; for this we will visit a website that is all about Egypt, its lost civilisation, pyramids, kings and queens, gods and mummies, and about their writing system, one of the earliest writing languages on earth.

This is Egyptian hieroglyphic Typewriter —it is pretty fun to type the alphabets and see them appear in Egyptian Hieroglyph with our simple ‘QWERTY’ keyboard.

You can easily amuse your friends and family by communicating like ancient Egyptians with this hieroglyphic Typewriter. All you have to do is to use your mouse and click on the letters on the keyboard on the website. When you are done with your word or sentence, simply press your return key and voila, you will see the entire sequence in hieroglyphs. You can also write your or anyone else’s name or even secret messages, then email or print the results.

So are you ready for some Egyptian hieroglyphic fun? Just visit: http://discoveringegypt.com/egyptian-hieroglyphic-writing/hieroglyphic-typewriter/

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

PAKISTAN has now registered 50 polio cases this year. We all saw it coming and yet there was nothing we could do to...
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...