<P> By the 14th century a rebirth, or renaissance, had emerged in Western Europe, leading to a temporary revival of the importance of Greek, and a slow revival of Latin as a significant literary language . A similar though smaller emergence occurred in Eastern Europe, especially in Russia . At the same time Arabic and Persian began a slow decline in importance as the Islamic Golden Age ended . The revival of literary development in Western Europe led to many innovations in the Latin alphabet and the diversification of the alphabet to codify the phonologies of the various languages . </P> <P> The nature of writing has been constantly evolving, particularly due to the development of new technologies over the centuries . The pen, the printing press, the computer and the mobile phone are all technological developments which have altered what is written, and the medium through which the written word is produced . Particularly with the advent of digital technologies, namely the computer and the mobile phone, characters can be formed by the press of a button, rather than making a physical motion with the hand . </P> <P> The nature of the written word has recently evolved to include an informal, colloquial written style, in which an everyday conversation can occur through writing rather than speaking . Written communication can also be delivered with minimal time delay (e-mail, SMS), and in some cases, with an imperceptible time delay (instant messaging). Writing is a preservable means of communication . Some people regard the growth of multimedia literacy as the first step towards a postliterate society . </P> <P> There is no very definite statement as to the material which was in most common use for the purposes of writing at the start of the early writing systems . In all ages it has been customary to engrave on stone or metal, or other durable material, with the view of securing the permanency of the record; and accordingly, in the very commencement of the national history of Israel, it is read of the two tables of the law written in stone, and of a subsequent writing of the law on stone . In the latter case there is this peculiarity, that plaster (sic, lime or gypsum) was used along with stone, a combination of materials which is illustrated by comparison of the practice of the Egyptian engravers, who, having first carefully smoothed the stone, filled up the faulty places with gypsum or cement, in order to obtain a perfectly uniform surface on which to execute their engravings . Metals, such as stamped coins, are mentioned as a material of writing; they include lead, brass, and gold . To the engraving of gems there is reference also, such as with seals or signets . </P>

What system forms the basis for the writing in east asia