The Origins of Scribe

Summary

The author of the publication "Scribe" chose its name to reflect the significance of writing and the role of writers, drawing inspiration from the revered scribes of Ancient Egypt.

Abstract

The article delves into the origins of the publication's name, "Scribe," revealing the author's intent to embody the essence of writing and the esteemed position of writers. The name was selected for its direct association with literacy and its brevity, ensuring recognition and comprehension across both French and English languages. The author's fascination with Ancient Egypt led to the discovery of the term "scribe," which historically denoted a learned individual skilled in various forms of writing during the time of the Pharaohs. Scribes were central to the functioning of Egyptian society, serving as administrators, accountants, and literati, and held in high regard. The article emphasizes that the publication "Scribe" aims to be a modern-day equivalent, where the focus remains on the power of words and the emotions they evoke. The author expresses pride in the publication and its contributors, likening the act of publishing in "Scribe" to the significance of the historical scribes' work.

Opinions

The author believes that the name "Scribe" is not only fitting but also symbolic of the publication's dedication to the art of writing.
The author has a deep appreciation for the historical significance of scribes in Ancient Egypt, viewing them as essential to the civilization's bureaucracy and cultural preservation.
There is an emphasis on the importance of the written word, with the publication aiming to honor and continue the scribal tradition in the modern era.
The author considers the contributors to the publication as modern-day scribes, suggesting a sense of community and shared purpose among the writers.
The author humorously compares the act of publishing in "Scribe" to the grandeur of pharaohs, highlighting the value placed on each writer's contribution.

Do you know why I chose this name for the publication?

Today, I’m going to tell you something in confidence. I admit that I have never said how and why I chose to call the publication what it is: Scribe. Maybe you don’t care, or maybe you already know the answer, since the name is quite explicit. But I would like to share with you in a few words the origins of the publication, and why the name I chose is not a coincidence. It will be very short and crisp, don’t worry.

When I created the publication, I wanted its name to be representative of the editorial line I had imagined for it. In my mind, the name had to be intimately linked to writing and writers.

It was important to me that the reader understood that he is in a place where the light is put on words and emotions. In addition, I wanted the name to be short, easily recognizable, and understandable in both French and English.

Being interested in Ancient Egypt and the time of the Pharaohs, I did some research and soon came across the meaning of Scribe, which in the historical sense refers to a person who practices writing. I couldn’t find anything better!

For the record, here are a few words from Wikipedia that tell us who the Scribes were in Ancient Egypt:

The scribe (from the Latin scriba, de scribere, to write) in ancient Egypt was a literate civil servant, educated in the art of writing and arithmetic. Ubiquitous as an administrator, accountant, litterator or public writer, he runs Pharaoh’s state within its bureaucracy, army or temples. The royal scribe dominates the central administration. Superior scribes are part of the pharaoh’s court, they do not pay taxes and have no military obligations.

The scribe masters the different forms of written characters: hieroglyphic, symbol-based, hieratic, cursive and logographic writing, demotic, logo-syllabic type and ancestor of Coptic (hieroglyphic, demotic and ancient Greek are the three languages of the famous Rosetta Stone).

Master of the written word and knowledge, the scribe has its symbolic attributes. Depicted simply wearing a loincloth, with a calamus (a pointed reed) in one hand and a papyrus or ostracon (a pottery shard) in the other, the scribe exercises a respected profession, which the famous text “of the teaching of Chety” enshrines as the noblest and most honorable activity in Egyptian society.

The hieroglyph used to signify the scribe, to write and writings, etc., is Gardiner sign Y3, from the category of ‘writings, & music’. The hieroglyph contains the scribe’s ink-mixing palette, a vertical case to hold writing-reeds, and a leather pouch to hold the black and red ink blocks.

After the pharaoh, the scribes are the most represented characters in statuary or painting. Masterpieces of Egyptian art found in the Caire Museum, the Louvre Museum, and the Neues Museum (Berlin) have been bequeathed to us, showing the historical and symbolic importance of scribes in Pharaonic Egypt.

Now you know why the publication is so named. Personally, I love this reference. In the end, in addition to writing in Scribe, we are all scribes! I don’t know if we will make history as much as our colleagues in Ancient Egypt, but in any case, I am proud of this publication and of all of you writers.

So I end this story with this: when you publish a story in Scribe, consider yourself almost as important as a pharaoh.