close

  
Filter options:

Freebase Commons Metaweb System Types /type

Object is not asserted on this topic.
  • #9202a8c04000641f80000000004a4b83

Freebase Commons Common /common

  • The Mandaic alphabet is based on the Aramaic alphabet, and is used for writing the Mandaic language. The Mandaic name for the script is Abagada or Abaga, after the first letters of the alphabet. Rather than the ancient Semitic names for the letters, the letters are known as â, bâ, gâ and so on. The alphabet consists of 24 letters: the 22 letters of the Aramaic alphabet, and then two additional letters at the end. As the number 24 is auspicious for Mandaeans, the additional letters are somewhat artificial. The 23rd letter is adu, the relative particle. And the 24th is the first letter, a, repeated. Thus, Mandaeans say that the abagada has perfected the alpha and omega. Unlike most other Semitic alphabets, the vowels are usually written out in full. The first and last letter, a, is used to represent a range of open vowels. The sixth letter, wa, is used for close back vowels, and the tenth letter, ya is used for close front vowels. These last two can also serve as the consonants w/v and y. The eighth letter corresponds to the Semitic heth, and is called eh; it always is pronounced as a long i-vowel, but is rarely used as it is thought to be a sacred representation of the eye of God. A similar situation exists for the sixteenth letter, e, which usually represents e at the beginning of a word, or, when followed by wa or ya, represents initial u or i respectively. Wikipedia

Freebase Commons Language /language

Comments

Hide