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The Origins of the Alphabet

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

David Diringer
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Extract

The alphabet is the most highly developed, the most convenient and adaptable form of writing. It consists of a number of purely conventional signs or symbols called letters, each one denoting a single sound, at least theoretically. Alphabetic writing is now universally adopted by civilized peoples; its use is acquired in childhood with ease–it is obviously much easier to learn 22, 24 or 26 signs than, for example, 45,000, or 10,000, or even 3000 Chinese symbols. The alphabet may also be passed from one language to another without great difficulty. It is no longer an exclusive prerogative of the priestly or other privileged classes, as ancient ideographic scripts were. Education has become largely a matter of reading and writing and is possible for all.

Type
Research Article
Information
Antiquity , Volume 17 , Issue 66 , June 1943 , pp. 77 - 90
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd 1943

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References

1 S. H. Hooke, ‘The Early History of Writing’, ANTIQUITY; XI, 261-77.

2 Besides, we may add here the signs painted or engraved on a few stones (v. for example FIG. 7, 3), in the foundation of the temple of Jerusalem, which closely resemble some signs in one of the mentioned Lachish inscriptions.

3 It is even possible that we have in the Canaanite inscriptions more than one attempt.