Varga Géza
The origins of Hunnish runic writing
CONTENTS, PREFACE
Contents
Preface to the English edition
Preface
History of the scientific views on the origins of Hunnish (Székely) runic script
Principles of deriving the origins of Székely script
The development of writing
The shapes of runes and the objects they represent
The mythology, names, and sound values of runes
Rituals and runic script
The types and number of characters
The order of characters
The direction of reading and characters
Syllabic signs
The regular use of syllable and vowel signs
The birth of letter scripts
Comparing writing systems
The academic historical-geographical preconception
The Turkish connection
What the historical sources say
Székely script of the Huns
The age of the development of Székely character forms
The age of unification of Hunnish (Székely) character sets
Hungarian vocabulary connected to writing
Ligatures that survived millennia
Migrations of peoples
Summary
Bibliography
Preface
Clarifying the origins of Székely runes is a question of major significance for the history of civilization. Finding the answers should be a task for Hungarian scientists, however there is not much we can really be satisfied with.
Our arrears is not only due to the relatively small amount of data; it may also be related to the fact that in Hungary there is no state institute to carry out researches on runic script; there is no training for historians of writing. Besides, research on the history of writing is poorly funded even in wealthier countries. According to a script historian, I. J. Gelb, the study of writing does not exist as a science, because inventorying writing relics - and avoiding the crucial questions at the same time - cannot be regarded as science (Gelb/1952).
Taking stock of all runic script relics still lies ahead; theories about the possible origins of Székely script all show caution, lack of information, lack of methodology and preconceptions of their authors. This attitude will change only if the dominating theory of research goes beyond the ancient preconception that presumes an early homeland in the North.