Decipherment

Decipherment (in philology) is the discovery of the meaning of texts written in obscure languages, which are almost always ancient. Decipherment in cryptography refers to decryption. The term is used sardonically in everyday language to describe attempts to read poor handwriting. In genetics the term is used to describe successful attempts to understand DNA, which is viewed metaphorically as a text containing word-like units. Throughout science the term decipherment is synonymous with the understanding of biological and chemical phenomena.

Ancient Languages

In many cases, a multilingual artifact is necessary to facilitate decipherment, the Rosetta Stone being the classic example. Statistical techniques provide another pathway to decipherment, as does the analysis of modern languages derived from ancient languages in which undeciphered texts are written. Archaeological and historical information is helpful in verifying hypothesized decipherments.

Deciphered scripts

Decipher (After Forever album)

Decipher is the second album by Dutch symphonic metal band After Forever, released in 2001. In this album, the band make use of live classical instruments and a complete choir to back up the soprano voice of lead singer Floor Jansen. Thrown in the mix are also a duet of soprano and tenor voices in "Imperfect Tenses" and the recording of the late Israeli PM Yizhak Rabin voice during the Peace treaty signing ceremony on October 26, 1994 on "Forlorn Hope". This is the last After Forever album with guitarist and founder Mark Jansen, who left the band soon after its release.

The album has been re-released by Transmission Records in 2003 in a limited edition of 5,000 copies worldwide. The limited edition in digipack had an extended booklet, a sticker with new artwork and two bonus live tracks.

The album was re-released in 2012 as a 2-disc set by the re-financed Transmission Records.

Track listings

Personnel

References

Decipher (John Taylor album)

Decipher is the second album by jazz pianist John Taylor, featuring recently late Tony Levin on drums. It was recorded in 1972 and '73, and released on the MPS label. The album is rather obscure and the only recent CD reprint is a Japanese issue (2006), now out of print, which features an astounding 24-bit remastering.

Track listing

Personnel