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8 Alphabet Systems That Changed Human History

By Tushar Kumar

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From around 1200 BCE, is the ancestor of most modern alphabets. Its 22 consonants made writing quicker and simpler, leading to its adoption and adaptation by cultures like the Greeks, who added vowels.

1 - Phoenician Alphabet

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Evolving from the Phoenician system, introduced vowels and a more precise written language. This innovation laid the foundation for Western literature, philosophy, science, and is the direct ancestor of the Latin script.

2 - Greek Alphabet

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The Latin alphabet, evolving from Greek and Etruscan scripts, spread across Europe via the Roman Empire's expansion. Now the most widely used alphabet, it supports global communication in the digital age.

3 -  Latin Alphabet

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Developed in the 9th century by Saints Cyril and Methodius, unified and promoted literacy in Slavic regions. It remains foundational in Russia, Bulgaria, Serbia, and other Eastern European and Central Asian countries.

4 - Cyrillic Alphabet

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Originating in the 4th century CE, became the writing system for the Quran and spread across the Islamic world. It played a key role in preserving and transmitting scientific knowledge during the Golden Age of Islam.

5 - Arabic Script

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Used for Sanskrit, Hindi, and other Indian languages, the Devanagari script is central to South Asian literature, religion, and philosophy, impacting millions and shaping the region's cultural and spiritual landscape.

6 -  Devanagari Script

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Chinese characters, used for over 3,000 years, are the oldest continuously used writing system. Each character represents a word or concept, influencing East Asian cultures, including Japanese and Korean writing.

7 - Chinese Characters

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Invented in the 15th century by King Sejong the Great of Korea, scientific structure makes it easy to learn and use. Its representation of Korean sounds democratized literacy, contributing to high literacy rates in Korea today.

8 - Hangul

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