SYRIAC SCRIPT Meaning and
Definition
-
Syriac script refers to a writing system used historically by the Syriac-speaking people. It is an alphabet that originated in the 1st century CE and was primarily employed for writing the Syriac language, which is a dialect of Aramaic. The script is also known as Estrangelo, meaning "rounded" or "twisted," referring to its distinctive and stylish curves.
The Syriac script consists of a set of 22 consonant letters, without any indication of short or long vowels. However, modified versions of these letters, called diacritical marks, were often used to represent vowel sounds. The letters are written from right to left, with horizontal and vertical strokes, and are connected to form cursive writing.
This script was widely used across the Middle East and Central Asia, particularly in religious and scholarly communities, from early Christianity until the 13th century. It served as the writing system for various works, including biblical texts, liturgical materials, theological and historical documents, poetry, and scientific writings.
Although the use of the Syriac script has declined over the centuries due to political and social changes, it still holds significant importance as a cultural and linguistic heritage. It has been influential in the development of many other alphabets, such as the Arabic, Hebrew, and Nabatean scripts. In contemporary times, the Syriac script continues to be used by some modern Aramaic-speaking communities and within scholarly circles for academic research and documentation of historical texts.
Etymology of SYRIAC SCRIPT
The term "Syriac script" refers to the writing system used to write the Syriac language, an Eastern Aramaic language. The etymology of the word "Syriac" comes from its association with the region of Syria.
The word "Syria" itself has an ancient origin and is believed to derive from the ancient Greek term "Syrios", which referred to the Assyrians. Over time, the term "Syria" came to encompass a larger region, including the area of modern-day Syria, Lebanon, and parts of Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, and Israel.
As for the term "script", it comes from the Latin word "scriptum", which means "something written". In the context of the Syriac script, it implies the written form of the Syriac language, which was used to record religious texts, manuscripts, and other documents.
