Development and breakdown of written language.

This article presents an overview of the development and breakdown of written language. Development of written language is reviewed for both the species and the child. Breakdown in written language is discussed in relation to the disorder of linguistic agraphia, with particular reference to studies involving cases that have resulted from a cerebral vascular accident. It is hoped that the juxtaposition of these perspectives of development and breakdown of written language may act as a catalyst for new research endeavors.