Which writing system uses symbols for syllables?

• A. Alphabetic uses letters (Latin)
• B. Logographic uses symbols for morphemes/words (Chinese characters)
• C. Pictographic uses pictorial symbols
• D. Syllabic uses symbols for syllables (Japanese kana)

Answer: (D)

Syllabic writing uses symbols that correspond to syllables, not to individual sounds or whole words. Japanese kana (hiragana and katakana) are classic examples: each character represents a syllable such as ka, ki, ku, ke, ko, and words are formed by stringing these syllables together. This contrasts with alphabetic systems, where letters map to single phonemes; logographic systems, where symbols represent morphemes or whole words; and pictographic systems, where pictures convey meaning. So the system described by using symbols for syllables is demonstrated by Japanese kana.