Za empiricky adekvátní teorii písemné komunikace

The paper, after tidying up the terminology concerning graphic and oral communication, summarizes the main theses of Josef Vachek’s theory of written (as opposed to spoken) language. This theory is then criticized for the following aspects: the lack of distinction between norm and system, the presupposition of a universal norm and a universal function of all written as opposed to all spoken utterances, and empirical inadequacy. In this last point, the critique is supported by the results of psycholinguistic research on reading as presented in the literature, with special attention devoted to the role of phonological coding.