Our lesson last week began with review on the origin of the alphabet. From the lesson, we learned that it all started with Hieratic Script, which was a shorter, cursive, and more rushed version of the original Egyptian hieroglyphics. Over time, this script eventually evolved around 1700 B.C. into the Synide Scriptures, which were designed for all the symbols to have their own phonetic sound.
However, the progress of the alphabet that we know today did not stop there. During this time, a Dark Age came that caused many of the major civilizations during the time to crumble and bury the knowledge of the alphabet along with them.
The Phoenicians eventually recovered a new alphabet that they used heavily in their trading routes and deals. This allowed for this new Phoenician alphabet to flourish in a world where the old alphabet had disappeared with history. There were also some changes to this alphabet as well. Since not all of the remaining civilizations had cultures or languages that were completely compatible with the Phoenician alphabet, they each made changes to how it was formed.
When the Greeks obtained this alphabet, they changed 4 of the symbols so that vowels would be introduced to the Greek alphabet. There were also other alphabets that were developed such as the Roman alphabet, the Hebrew alphabet, and the Kufic (Arabic) alphabet.
These alphabets were the keys for information to be exchanged throughout the world and influence how our cultures are shaped today. For instance, the creation of these alphabets have also inspired designs from people like Massimo Vignelli. So this goes to show how the progress of the alphabet in history has shaped the world as it is today.
