Definition & Meaning of "semi-syllabary"

What is a "semi-syllabary"?

A semi-syllabary is a writing system that combines elements of both syllabic and alphabetic systems, where some characters represent entire syllables while others represent individual sounds or phonemes. In a semi-syllabary, the writing system often includes symbols for consonant-vowel combinations and may also include symbols for standalone consonants or vowels. An example of a semi-syllabary is the writing system used for the Cherokee language, where some characters represent syllables like "ta," "na," and "la," while others represent single sounds. Semi-syllabaries are significant in linguistics because they provide a unique approach to representing language, allowing for efficient writing while capturing the complexity of spoken sounds.