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+----- Thread: The VMS is an illustrated manuscript handwritten in an unknown writing system (/thread-977.html)
The VMS is an illustrated manuscript handwritten in an unknown writing system - Anton - 26-10-2016
From the beginning, the VMBOK initiative at once went into some quite specific statements about imagery, text et cetera. I would like to pay attention to some generic introductory statements which are also needed. So one of these is (partly adopted from Wikipedia):
Statement [UPD Nov 2, 2016]
- The Voynich Manuscript is a manuscript handwritten in an unknown writing system and containing numerous images.
As opposed to Wikipedia, I chose "manuscript" vs "codex", because IMO there's not enough evidence that it was really meant to be a codex.
"Handwritten" may seem excessive, since the word "manuscript" implies this, but nowadays the word "manuscript" often designates something not literally handwritten (e.g. "to submit a manuscript to a journal"). So "handwritten" would not harm.
RE: The VMS is an illustrated manuscript handwritten in an unknown writing system - ThomasCoon - 26-10-2016
I agree with your choice of manuscript over codex, and the word handwritten. So, I agree with the statement as-is.
RE: The VMS is an illustrated manuscript handwritten in an unknown writing system - Koen G - 27-10-2016
Seems hard to disagree wih :-)
RE: The VMS is an illustrated manuscript handwritten in an unknown writing system - VViews - 27-10-2016
I agree with that statement, of course.
RE: The VMS is an illustrated manuscript handwritten in an unknown writing system - Koen G - 27-10-2016
I think you can safely add the poll here right away, Anton.
RE: The VMS is an illustrated manuscript handwritten in an unknown writing system - Diane - 27-10-2016
Anton,
The definition of 'codex' seems to be shifting. It used to refer to the form of presentation - i.e. not a scroll - and the period up until the introduction of printing.
A 'manuscript' may be hand-written, but need not be where the proper use of 'codex' implies this.
I see that the usual definitions found in American and other dictionaries online today speak of the 'codex' as containing "ancient works usually of Jewish or Christian religion". If that's the way the definition has shifted, of course we can no longer keep describing the Voynich as a 'codex' although technically it is and people who say so aren't wrong.
Still - I think we do have to drop it.
RE: The VMS is an illustrated manuscript handwritten in an unknown writing system - Witch Mountain - 01-11-2016
I agree
RE: The VMS is an illustrated manuscript handwritten in an unknown writing system - davidjackson - 01-11-2016
Purely on a point of order, does illustrated manuscript imply a connection between text and images?
Possibly handwritten manuscript with illustrations (or even just pictures) may make the meaning clearer.
RE: The VMS is an illustrated manuscript handwritten in an unknown writing system - Anton - 01-11-2016
Good point, David.
What about "The Voynich Manuscript is a manuscript handwritten in an unknown writing system and containing numerous images."
What would be better - "pictures" or "images"?
RE: The VMS is an illustrated manuscript handwritten in an unknown writing system - davidjackson - 01-11-2016
Picture, inasmuch as image would suggest a representation of an object or idea.
But maybe drawing is the mot jus.