The following terminology has been used throughout the Online Blissword Dictionary website. Definitions have been provided to aid in the understanding of the website documentation.
Systems used to help individuals communicate who have speech impairments. Blissymbolics is a typical example of such a system, however, there are many more: electronic communication devices, hand gestures and word boards to name a few.
A stamp display containing Bliss-words with associated gloss enabling the Bliss user to point to the Bliss-words to communicate. The display is usually personally configured by the Bliss instructor in order to provide the best layout for the specific Bliss user.
Bliss-characters can be referred to as the building blocks of Blissymbolics. They may appear alone or combined with other Bliss-characters to form new words. See the 'Language Construction' link for a more in depth definition.
Blissymbolics Communication International (BCI) was established as a non-profit, charitable organisation in July 1975. They were granted a world-wide, exclusive licence from Charles K. Bliss for the use and publication of Blissymbols for individuals with communication, language and learning difficulties.
A paper based dictionary containing all approved Bliss-words and Categories together with information about the Blissymbolic language.
A Bliss-character used by itself with a specific lexical meaning, or a sequence of Bliss-characters with a specific lexical meaning.
An umbrella heading in which all related Bliss-words are contained.
A word used to join words and phrases, for example, the word 'And'.
The definition of a Bliss-word in another language, for example, English.
Blissymbolic glyphs are the actual drawn or printed representation of a Bliss-character.
Ideographs represent the idea of something rather than its' physical being. It creates an association between the Bliss-character and the concept it represents.
Small Bliss-characters which are placed above other Bliss-characters as grammatical markers. By placing these indicators the meaning of the Bliss-word can be changed. Please see Language Construction for a more indepth analysis.
A method of representing a languge. An example of traditional orthography may be written English.
Pictographs are graphic representations of the actual object itself. Pictograph originates from the word Picto meaning 'picture' and graph from the ancient Greek word meaning 'writing'.
Hardware to assist a Bliss user in communicating.
Two or more Bliss-words used to represent a single word in another language and vice versa.
Bliss software program created by Anycom, Sweden.
