Relationships Between Speech and Writing Systems in Ancient Alphabets and Syllabaries

Abstract

During the 14th century b.c., in the country of Canaan (Phoenicia to the Greeks, Byblos to be precise) there appeared an alphabet that was distinct from cuneiform. Its letters would come to be used, with some modifications, by the Hellenics, the Etruscans, the Oscs, the Umbrians, the Latins, and other cultures. With respect to writing systems, Canaan was certainly a privileged area in the whole Middle Eastern region. Two relatively simple writing systems were in use there, unfortunately still undeciphered today: the “pseudo-hieroglyphic” of Byblos, which had 114 characters, and the Proto-Sinaic of Palestine which had 35 (Cohen, 1958). In addition, there were the 22 signs used in the funerary inscription of Ahiram in Byblos. These characters had a long history behind them, and gave rise to the letters of our alphabet.