Question

Где возник древнейший алфавит?Почему в нем знаков гораздо меньше,чем в клинописи и письме древних египтян?

Answer 1

Самый древний из известных алфавитов возник в Финикии (примерно на территории нынешнего Ливана) около 3,5 тыс. лет назад.
Знаков меньше потому, что знак в алфавитном письме обозначает звук (часто только согласный) или слог, а звуков и слогов меньше, чем слов, которые передавались клинописью и передаются иероглифами.

Answer 2

The Origin of the Oldest Alphabet

The oldest known alphabet is believed to have originated in ancient Egypt. This alphabet, known as the Proto-Sinaitic script, was developed around the 15th century BCE and is considered the precursor to many modern alphabets, including the Phoenician, Greek, and Latin alphabets.

The Proto-Sinaitic script was discovered in the 19th century CE during archaeological excavations in the Sinai Peninsula. The script consists of a series of pictographic symbols that represent consonant sounds. Unlike earlier writing systems, such as cuneiform and hieroglyphics, which used a large number of symbols to represent words and concepts, the Proto-Sinaitic script had a much smaller set of symbols, making it more efficient and easier to learn.

Differences Between the Proto-Sinaitic Script and Ancient Egyptian Writing Systems

The Proto-Sinaitic script had fewer symbols compared to the writing systems used by the ancient Egyptians, such as hieroglyphics and hieratic script. There are several reasons for this difference:

1. Simplification: The Proto-Sinaitic script was developed as a simplified form of writing, focusing on representing consonant sounds rather than complex words and concepts. This simplification allowed for faster and more efficient writing.

2. Adaptation: The Proto-Sinaitic script was likely influenced by the writing systems of the ancient Egyptians and other neighboring cultures. It adapted certain symbols and simplified them to create a more streamlined alphabet.

3. Practicality: The Proto-Sinaitic script was primarily used for commercial and administrative purposes, such as keeping records of trade and transactions. Its simplicity and ease of use made it well-suited for these practical applications.

4. Cultural Context: The ancient Egyptians had a rich tradition of using complex writing systems, such as hieroglyphics, which were deeply intertwined with their religious and cultural practices. The Proto-Sinaitic script, on the other hand, was developed in a different cultural context and served different purposes.

In summary, the oldest alphabet, the Proto-Sinaitic script, originated in ancient Egypt and had fewer symbols compared to the writing systems used by the ancient Egyptians. Its development was influenced by the need for a simpler and more practical writing system for commercial and administrative purposes.