Linguistic Atomism. Chinese and Indo-European Patterns

Abstract

To divide ancient civilizations according to their writing systems, i.e. alphabetical and hieroglyphic, seems to be natural only at first glance. A deeper analysis of such a division will reveal both differences and unexpected similarities between these two types of linguistic consciousness. The paper offers a new comparativist gaze at some basic oppositions such as Indo-European alphabet vs. Chinese characters, signifier vs . signified, changeable vs. unchangeable. Much of attention is given to Pāṇini’s Aṣṭādhyāyī  which is compared with Leucippus’ atomistic views.