The script used to write English today is derived from the alphabet of the
A Assyrians.
B Persians.
C Hebrews.
D Phoenicians.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is D. Phoenicians.
The modern English alphabet is derived from the alphabet of the Phoenicians. The Phoenician alphabet, which dates back to around 1050 BCE, was one of the first alphabets that used characters to represent sounds rather than concepts or pictures. This writing system had 22 characters, each representing a consonant sound, and it was used primarily for inscriptions and trade.
The Phoenician alphabet was spread through trade and cultural exchange across the Mediterranean, particularly by Phoenician merchants. It influenced many later writing systems, including Greek, Latin, and Hebrew scripts. The Greeks adopted the Phoenician alphabet around the 8th century BCE but made modifications, including adding vowels. The Latin alphabet, used by the Romans, further evolved from the Greek alphabet.
The Latin alphabet, which is the one used in modern English today, was carried by the Roman Empire across Europe and later spread globally. This means that the English writing system, like many other Western languages, owes its structure to the Phoenician alphabet, with various adaptations over time. While there are other influences, such as the influence of the Romans and Greeks, the foundational script from which modern English is derived is the Phoenician alphabet.
The spread of writing systems has played a crucial role in the development of languages and the ability to communicate over long distances, leading to the rich and diverse array of writing systems that exist today.