ALPHABETS-
People all over the world today rely on a letter system that forms
our communication system. These letters are put in a particular order to make the system complete. This system is called an
alphabet. Alphabets allow people to learn to read, speak and write. What many people do not know is that alphabets have
been used since ancient times. Different locations determine the different alphabet. In ancient times many forms
of these letter systems used symbols as well. Some languages that used letter and symbol alphbets were, Coptic and Greek.
In the US we use a letter system that consits of 26 letter. When these letters are put together they form words which are
the basis for our communication system.
The ancient Coptic alphabet was originated by ancient Eygptians
around 3rd century BC leading up until 13th century AD. It was then replaced by Arabic. Even though Coptic was no longer
the official languauge, Coptic christians still used the language during prayer. The Coptic alphabet was a variation of the
Ancient Greek alphabet. However, there were more sounds and letters in the coptic version. The extra letters and sounds come
from the Demotic form of Egyptian script. The language of Coptic came into play because of the Greek conquest
and the spread of Christianity.The name Coptic comes from the Greek word for Egyptian; Aigyptioi which became Qbit in
Arabic and then wasLatinised to Copt.
Another ancient alphabet that evolved with time is the ancient Greek
alphabet. The ancient Greek alphabet is known as the "mother" of ancient alphabets. Many other forms of alphabets
were variations of ancient Greek. When the Greek alphabet was first used in about 750 BC it was used in different variations,
in many different Greek cities. These local alphabets were known as Epichoric. They are sometimes divided
into three groups: green, blue and red. The blue is the modern Greek alphabet, the red had turned into the language
of Etruscan- an alphabet used in Italy, and finally the green turned into Latin. The ancient Greek alphabet was
invented by the Semites of the Mediterranean coast. They consisted of the Hebrews and the Phoenicians, who used symbols
to represent consonants. The original language was passed on to the Greeks. The Greeks came up
with the idea to invent vowels. Along with Greek, many other languages go through stages of change. The language of English
has gone from old English to modern day English. Although many of the sounds are the same some are altered and they way we
write the two versions are very different. The chinese have a different form of an alphabet. They use all symbols to form
there sounds and sentences. Chinese is one of the hardest languages to learn because the difference in alphabets. Besides
for many Asian countries, it is the most common to use letters as oppose to symbols throughout present day times.
Ancient alphabets helped start something that today we wouldnt be
able to live without; a structured communication system. Today people all over the world use the alphabet in everyday life.
If it wasn't for the ancient Greeks we would not be nearly as adavnced as we are today. The English alphabet hs made some
changes from old to modern English, along with almost every other alphabet as well, but the idea remians the same. The
English alphabet today consists of 26 letters. Both consitants and vowels. The idea that ancient greeks came up with these
two types of letters that we are still using, so many years ago is mnid-blowing.
The alphabet system helped form the communication system that allows
us to read, write and speak. If there was no alphabet we would be missing imperitive pieces of history such as the Declaration
of Independence, The Bill of Rights and the Commandments. On a more simplicit note we all use letters
at work, school or simply to speak a sentance. I would have to say that the alphabet was one of the most notorious and important
inventions of all time.
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