Kinagrams

Kinagrams are described by an extramuros artisan as a grid of tiny moving pictures used to convey information in everyday life. They are presented as a successor to the earlier pictographic system known as Logotype, which the artisan says has been “obsoleted,” and are said to be incompatible with it.

First known context

Kinagrams are first brought to the avout’s attention during a conversation in the New Library, when an artisan from outside the walls demonstrates a jacket tag showing a grid of small, moving images and identifies them as “Kinagrams.” In the same discussion, the artisan notes that devices used by authorities to mark offenders display the named offense “right on it, in Kinagrams.”

Usage and scope

• Commonly used extramuros for labeling and simple, universal readouts (e.g., clothing tags and official devices).
• Reported to have replaced Logotype in everyday use, with the transition characterized by greater ease of use and perceived superiority.
• Described by the artisan as “incompatible” with Logotype; an avout observer counters that, in principle, there may be no fundamental distinction between the two beyond convention.

Relation to other systems

• Contrasted with reading words written in Orth, which remains the script of study and record within the maths.
• Replaces the earlier symbol system “Logotype” in the world outside the maths.

Notable characteristics

• Appears as small animated icons arranged in a grid.
• Serves as a quick‑interpretation system for people who may not read Orth text.

Notes

Perspectives on Kinagrams differ: outside the walls it is treated as a practical standard, while some avout—such as Fraa Orolo, in discussion—question whether its difference from older systems is substantive or merely conventional.