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Writing in Egypt: Arabic

Arabic is written from right to left. The alphabet is derived mainly from the Aramaic. Whereas in the Aramaic script each sign is isolated from its neighbours, most Arabic signs are connected. Of twenty-eight letters, twenty-two have four different forms: isolated, final, initial, medial.

From the beginning of Arab rule over Egypt, Arabic became the main language.

Examples for Arabic language from Egypt: click on the images to see a larger picture
UC 16860, stela with Arabic Inscription UC 25436, fragments of vessel with Arabic inscription UC 58258, ring with Arabic inscription UC 71037, Arabic charm UC 71094, Arabic written document

 

Bellamy 1989 (an introduction to the early development of the Arabic alphabet)

 


 

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