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Introduction
Introduction
The first alphabet was created by the Phoenicians around 1,050 BCE. This earliest form of the alphabet is technically an aleph-beth, for it did not have any vowels, yet it is still considered the first alphabet. The Phoenicians made the alphabet in order to make things easier for all. It would do this by making a basic set of characters that represent different sounds of speech. Through the vast trade network, the alphabet spread and was adapted to fit their cultures. The Greeks would add vowels and that would change as well. Even with all the changes it is still easy to trace it all back to the original Phoenician alphabet. Since then the alphabet has stuck around and is still very important.
Comparison with Predecessors
Comparison with Predecessors
Slab of Cuneiform writing.
Cuneiform
Cuneiform
Cuneiform was the first form of written language created by another Fertile Crescent Civilization, the people of Sumer and Mesopotamia. Each symbol represents a different word but would add different syllables. This meant that there were countless symbols that were very hard to keep track of. This meant that only the wealthy and elite could be literate.
A wall with hieroglyphics on it.
Hieroglyphics
Hieroglyphics
Hieroglyphics was used in Egypt, but like Cuneiform, it is also not used anymore. They were pictures that represented different words or concepts and it has become very famous because of its links to Egyptian culture. It would change only a little bit to include syllables and single sounds. Though, since it was not solely the single sounds it was not an alphabet. Like with Cuneiform, Hieroglyphics had so many characters that the average person could not write, though they could read.
Alphabet Comparisons
Alphabet Comparisons
This picture compares the Phoenician Alphabet, the Greek, and the Latin alphabets. It is very easy to see where they each came from once you see the evolution of each letter. Though you can see that the order of the letters have changed. To see the family tree of alphabets see Dr. C. George Boeree's research.
Comparisons between Phoenician, Greek, and Latin writings.
Wall with the Phoenician Alphabet on it.
The alphabet is very important because it has made literacy very widespread. It did this by making a set amount of letters that made the learning of reading and writing easier. It also unifies people because a large portion of the world uses the current alphabet that we would not have without the Phoenicians of the Fertile Crescent and with that they will always be remembered.
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