Chart by Chiswick Chap in Wikipedia.
As far as I'm concerned the Romans did one good thing for us. They gave us the Latin alphabet. I have been struggling today with a message in Russian on Facebook.
I went onto Wikipedia thinking it's time I put up the Greek, Russian, Hebrew and Arabic alphabets where I can see them easily. For example, on a pin board or wall behind my computer screen.
Greek
Is Greek 'all Greek' to you? Until you have learned every letter of the alphabet you can only read a few simple words, which use about 5 common letters. For example, I recognized Athens on a road sign and Exit in the aeroplane.
My attempts at learning go back so far it is embarrassing to recognize and admit how long it has taken me - without finishing! I started seeing the Greek alphabet in school, in mathematics. In my late teens as a student I first went to Greece. I took more holidays in Greece as an adult.
Much later, I was in Singapore and as Area Director had to visit at least twice in six months a Toastmasters group called Toastmasters in Christ. I was astonished to find the well educated leader giving an analysis of bible texts, explaining the meaning of Hebrew words. at a Christian Toastmasters speakers training club. Christians who train to be priests learn Greek for the New Testament and Hebrew for the Old Testament.
From Greek To Hebrew
Why Hebrew? When visiting Israel. On packaging of chocolates and wines in supermarkets when buying gifts. And in prayer books at funerals).
Why Cyrillic? On holiday in Bulgaria. Helps with Russian.
About the Author
Angela Lansbury teacher of English (advanced and English as a Second Language or English as a Foreign Language, French and other languages, aspiring polyglot.
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