Language/Armenian/Culture/Armenian-Alphabet

Armenian → Culture → Armenian Alphabet

As an Armenian language teacher with 20 years of experience, I can tell you that the Armenian alphabet is a fascinating and essential aspect of Armenian culture. In this lesson, we will explore the history and background of the Armenian alphabet.

Finish this lesson and explore these related pages: Armenian National Instruments & Traditional Music and Dance.

Origins

The Armenian alphabet was created in the early 5th century by a monk named Mesrop Mashtots, who is considered a national hero in Armenia. At that time, Armenians used the Aramaic alphabet to write their language. However, that alphabet had some limitations, and Mashtots felt that it was not suitable to represent the unique sounds of the Armenian language. So, he invented a new alphabet with 36 letters that accurately represented the Armenian language's sounds.

The Armenian alphabet quickly became a symbol of national identity and played a crucial role in preserving Armenian culture against various foreign invasions.

Structure

The Armenian alphabet has 38 letters, and each letter has a unique shape and name. One of the most distinctive features of the Armenian alphabet is that it is a unique work of art in itself, as each letter has a unique design and shape.

The Armenian alphabet is written from left to right, and each letter has a corresponding sound. The sounds of the Armenian alphabet may not be familiar to speakers of other languages, which may make it challenging for beginners to pronounce them correctly. But with practice and a good teacher, it is possible to master the Armenian alphabet.

Armenian Alphabet Table

Below is a table of the Armenian alphabet with each letter's name, pronunciation (in transliteration), and English equivalent.

Armenian	Transliteration	English
Ա	A	A
Բ	B	B
Գ	G	G
Դ	D	D
Ե	E	E
Զ	Z	Z
Է	E	É
Ը	Y	Y
Թ	Tʿ	T
Ժ	Zh	J
Ի	I	I
Լ	L	L
Խ	Kh	Kh
Ծ	Ts	Ts
Կ	K	K
Հ	H	H
Ձ	Dz	Dz
Ղ	Gh	Gh
Ճ	Ch	Ch
Մ	M	M
Յ	Y	Y
Ն	N	N
Շ	Sh	Sh
Ո	Vo	O
Չ	Chʿ	Ch
Պ	P	P
Ջ	J	J
Ռ	R	R
Ս	S	S
Վ	V	V
Տ	T	T
Ր	R	R
Ց	Tsʿ	Ts
ՈՒ	U	U / Ū
Փ	Ph	Pʿ
Ք	Kh	Kʿ
և	Yev	And
Օ	O	Ō
Ֆ	F	F

Conclusion

The Armenian alphabet is not just a tool for communication but also a symbol of national identity and pride. By learning the Armenian alphabet, you will not only be able to read and write in Armenian but also get a glimpse into the rich cultural history of Armenia. As with any new language, mastering the Armenian alphabet takes time and effort. However, with dedication and a good teacher, you can quickly learn the Armenian alphabet and unlock the door to Armenian language and culture. Good luck!

Upon wrapping up this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Wrestling and Weightlifting & Armenian Ceramics and Pottery.

Other Lessons

• Armenian Actors and Celebrities
• Armenian National Instruments
• Armenian Cuisine
• Armenians in Diaspora
• Wrestling and Weightlifting
• Armenian Holidays and Festivals
• Armenian Carpet Weaving
• Armenian Footballers and Basketball Players
• Armenian Ceramics and Pottery

Sources

• Armenian Alphabet is Catalyst for Cultural Endurance
• Armenian letter art and its cultural expressions - intangible heritage ...
• Armenian language - Wikipedia