logoalt Hacker News

DiogenesKynikos01/17/20252 repliesview on HN

By that standard, many alphabets, including the Phoenician and Arabic alphabets, aren't "real" alphabets.


Replies

PittleyDunkin01/17/2025

Yes, exactly. Linear A was the first alphabet, and greek gave "alphabet" its name.

I almost get the sense that people are interpreting abjad as "lesser-than" an alphabet. It's just a distinction, it's not a value judgement.

show 1 reply
ivanbakel01/17/2025

Indeed, Arabic is an abjad.

show 2 replies