"Thank you all" written in the Nüshu syllabary. Photo and carving by the author. Over the past decade, my research for the Endangered Alphabets project has found scripts that are exclusively sacred or spiritual, others used only for magic and divination, some employed solely for accounting and bookkeeping, some even for notating songs. Writing, then, … Continue reading #EndangeredAlphabets: The Saddest Scripts
#Endangered Alphabets: The Gnostic Script
Article One of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the Mandaic script. Carving and photo by the author. Many, many of the world's less-known scripts might change the way you think about writing, but none more so, I suspect, than the Mandaic. The Mandaeans have possibly the most exquisite awareness of the importance of … Continue reading #Endangered Alphabets: The Gnostic Script
#EndangeredAlphabets: Is it Ogham Or Ogam? And In Any Case, How Do You Say It?
“At the Edge of the Wood” (2009) by Irish sculptor Fidelma Massey. It spells TAOBH NA COILLE, the name of the Gaelscoil in Beallairmín, An Chéim / Belarmine, Stepaside, Co. Dublin, in vertical Ogam.http://www.fidelmamassey.com/large-works Today's post has a serious part and a light-hearted part. Leave 'em laughing, they say, though whether what goes for vaudeville … Continue reading #EndangeredAlphabets: Is it Ogham Or Ogam? And In Any Case, How Do You Say It?
#EndangeredAlphabets: Another Script Author Murdered
Article One of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Pahauh Hmong script One of the most interesting discoveries results of research by the Endangered Alphabets Project is that fully half of all scripts in use around the world today were not adopted and/or adapted from an existing script—they were invented by an individual or … Continue reading #EndangeredAlphabets: Another Script Author Murdered
#EndangeredAlphabets: Trotting Out Camels
“Save our language” in the Zaghawa language and the Beria script, in which each letter resembles a camel branding symbol. Carved by the author. Right, let’s get this month going. Let’s head out into the fascinating world of Indigenous and minority scripts. And let’s start by talking about camels. I’m trotting out camels, so to … Continue reading #EndangeredAlphabets: Trotting Out Camels
A Summary of Titles to Inspire Your #Veganuary
It may be the end of Veganuary but that doesn't mean your vegan journey needs to end here! I hope everyone that has followed along has enjoyed the posts and perhaps found some time to start reading some of these recommendations. Veganism is a social justice movement focused on achieving total liberation for non-human animals … Continue reading A Summary of Titles to Inspire Your #Veganuary
#Veganuary: Mother Cow, Mother India
A Multispecies Politics of Dairy in India, by Yamini Narayanan India has the largest vegan and vegetarian population in the world; they are known for their respect for cows and the sacred position of cows in Hindu society. But is this really true? Muslims are frequently targets of hate crimes, and accusations of cow slaughter … Continue reading #Veganuary: Mother Cow, Mother India
#Veganuary: Farmageddon
The True Cost of Cheap Meat by Philip Lymbery This was one of the early books I read about the impact of eating meat and it still remains extremely relevant today. Written in 2014, it is based on Philip Lymbery's global investigations over a period of three years. The investigation dives into the impact of … Continue reading #Veganuary: Farmageddon
#Veganuary: Animal Welfare in China
By Peter J. Li After spending over 13 years living and working in China, I became both aware of the Animal Rights issues that plague the country but also the many individuals working to change the current system. I was introduced to Animal Rights through Chinese philosophical thinking and traditions, and therefore am always surprised … Continue reading #Veganuary: Animal Welfare in China
#Veganuary: Fevered Planet
How Diseases Emerge When We Harm Nature by John Vidal Once you have read In The Company of Men by Véronique Tadjo, a great way to continue is by reading Fevered Planet, an in-depth look at what happens to human health when we destroy nature. Long considered separate issues, human health, wildlife health and the … Continue reading #Veganuary: Fevered Planet
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative 