Syriac alphabet

Categories: Abjad writing systems | Aramaic languages

The Syriac alphabet is used for writing the Syriac language. It is clearly related to other alphabets used to write Semitic languages.

General remarks

Syriac is written from right to left. It is a cursive (joined-up) script, where some, but not all, letters connect within a word. The alphabet consists of 22 letters, all of which are consonants. The vowel sounds are supplied by the reader's memory or by pointing (a system of diacritical marks to indicate the correct reading). In fact, three letters act as matres lectionis: rather than being a consonant, they indicate a vowel. The first letter, 'Ālaph, often represents a glottal stop, but it can also indicate a vowel at the beginning or the end of a word. The letter Waw is technically a w, but can also represent the vowels o and u. Likewise, the letter Yōdh represents the consonant y, but it also stands for the vowels i and e.

Forms of the Syriac alphabet

There are three major variations of the Syriac alphabet. The oldest and classical form of the alphabet is Estrangelā (the name is derived from the Greek description στρογγυλη, strongylē, 'rounded'). Although Estrangelā is no longer used as the main script for writing Syriac, it has received a bit of a revival. It is often used in scholarly publications (for instance, the Leiden University version of the Peshitta), in titles and inscriptions.

The West Syriac dialect is usually written in the Sertā ('line') form of the alphabet. Most of the letters are obviously derived from Estrangelā, but are simplified, flowing lines. The Arabic alphabet was based on this form of Syriac handwriting. The western script is usually vowel-pointed with miniature Greek vowel letters above or below the letter which they follow: Α (capital alpha) represents a, α (lowercase alpha) represents ā (pronounced as an o), ε (lowercase epsilon) represents e and ē, Ι (capital iota) represents ī, and a combined symbol of Υ (capital upsilon) and ο (lowercase omicron) represents ū.

The East Syriac dialect is usually written in the Madnhāyā ('eastern') form of the alphabet. Unfortunately, it is often called 'nestorian', a term that was originally used to disparage Christians living in the Persian Empire. The eastern script resembles Estrangelā more closely than the western script. The eastern script uses a system of dots above or below letters to indicate vowels.

When Arabic began to be the dominant spoken language in Fertile Crescent, texts were often written in Arabic with the Syriac script. These writings are usually called Karshuni or Garshuni.

Syriac Estrangelā script

Syriac in Unicode

The Syriac Unicode range is U+0700 ... U+074F.

fr:Alphabet syriaque id:Abjad Suryani ja:シリア文字 sl:Sirska abeceda