Earlier quoted context omitted.
The Chinese writing system is a syllabary, but with a large number of symbols that map to ~1200 spoken syllables, and memorized spelling rules for which to use, often with "just-so" stories about logograms as memory aids. Strangely, many, perhaps most users of it think it is not a syllabary. This is largely because it is what they were told as children, and it makes little difference in use, within bounds of Mandarin…
Source please? I'd like to read more about this.
I picked it up mostly from Language Log, the U of Penn collective, and Victor Mair's postings there. No doubt he has a book.