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Coptic Alphabet

KOP-tik
Alphabets
Origin from 100

The Coptic alphabet is the script used to write Coptic, the most recent stage of the Egyptian language, and the first alphabetic script the Egyptian language ever used. Its glyphs are based on the uncial Greek alphabet, augmented by letters borrowed from Demotic Egyptian for sounds Greek did not have. Its development traces to the Ptolemaic Kingdom, when the Greek alphabet was already being used to transcribe Demotic texts, and it remains in use in Coptic Christian liturgy.

Facts
Script Type
Alphabet 1
Directionality
Written left to right. 1
In Use Since (Year)
from 100 1
Developed in the second century AD, continuing the Ptolemaic-era practice of transcribing Demotic Egyptian with Greek letters.
Connections

Descends From

Greek Script, Scripts
Source Wikipedia: Coptic Alphabet

Influenced By

By way of Demotic Egyptian, the latest cursive stage of hieroglyphic writing, whose signs supplement the borrowed Greek letters for sounds Greek did not have.

Source Wikipedia: Coptic Alphabet

Script Of

Coptic, Languages
Source Wikipedia: Coptic Language
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Coptic Alphabet
  • Lead section
    The repertoire of glyphs is based on the uncial Greek alphabet, augmented by letters borrowed from the Egyptian Demotic.
  • Infobox
    Direction: Left-to-right
  • Infobox and History section
    2nd century AD to present (in Coptic liturgy)
View the Source
Wikipedia: Coptic Language
WikipediaScript Of: Coptic, Writing system sectionView the Source

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