Abjads are scripts that have no vowels, but consonants only, usually around 22. They are derived from the Proto-Sinai Semitic that dates back to around 1500 BC, first found in todays Syria. The script ushered a revolution in that the common person could now communicate with very little learning. Early cuneiform and glyphs called for scribes who trained for years. This Ugarithic gave way to the Greek and Aramaic writing systems. Greek evolved into Latin - Europe's everyday script, and Cyrillic, whilst Aramaic fathered India's Brahmi and Hebrew. The Greeks were the first to introduce vowels, giving the world the first "true" alphabet around 900 BC. Brahmi is said to have developed around 300 BC. To create a abugida for Canadian tribes in 1840, James Evans used Devnagiri letters combined with features of Pitman shorthand ! Bosco, a Flora Fountain Clare's grad did his mission bit for Evans. Yesterday's NY Times informs us that the Armenian prosecutor, Kbilashvilli, a good friend of our Aires, would prosecute the PM, Zhvania, for corruption: notice the missing "a" in both names. Harish is a common Armenian name, invariably spelt Hrish, even in the US. I plan on asking Cecil to lead a rescue mission to Yerevan. eric.
