Here are entered general and comparative works dealing with the Semitic alphabet and its ancient and modern derivatives, or with similar series of characters employed to represent the sounds of a language.Works on variations in the style of writing in the past, and especially with ancient and medieval handwriting, are entered under Paleography.Works on written languages as a form of communication or discourse are entered under Written communication.Works on the process or result of recording language in the form of conventionalized visible marks or graphic signs on a surface are entered under Writing. Works on the writing of a particular language are entered under the name of the language with subdivisions Alphabet and Writing, e.g. Greek language--Alphabet; Egyptian language--Writing. Works on systems of writing used by several peoples are entered under Writing, followed by the name of the system, e.g. Writing, Arabic. --subdivision Alphabet or Writing under groups of languages or under particular languages, e.g. English language--Alphabet; Slavic languages--Writing; also subdivision Languages--Alphabet under names of regions, countries, etc.