You know,there are 26 letters in English.
But the 26 letters,know the origin of the people I'm afraid not much.Originally,English letters originates from the Latin alphabet,Latin letters originates from the Greek alphabet,and the Greek letter is by Phoenician alphabet evolved.
Phoenicia along the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea is ancient civilization and its geographical position equivalent to about today Lebanon and Syria along the coast."As far as Phoenicia" is Greek to the region to name means "the kingdom of purple",because the area is rich in purple dye the name.The Roman people call it "unseen" cloth.
At the beginning of 20 centuries BC,as far as Phoenicia produce a small in slavery in the city-state,but have never form a unified country.In ancient times,to industry and commerce as far as Phoenicia and navigation is well known in the world.10 century B.C.,before and after their activities has reached this Cyprus,Sicily,Sardinia,France,Spain and north Africa,and set up the many colonies.After 8 th century BC,Assyria and Babylon new countries such as intrusion into one as far as Phoenicia.The 6 th century BC,Phoenicia Persian empire was finally over.
About 13 th century BC,phoenicians created the first batch of letters in human history text,a total of 22 letter (no vowels).This is the Phoenician culture great contribution to human beings.Phoenician alphabet is the world of the alphabets of beginning.In the west,it derives ancient Greek alphabet,the latter and development for Latin letters and Slavic letters.And the Greek letter and Latin letters all western countries is the foundation of the letters.In the east,it derived aiu letters,this,we evolved in India,Arabia,the Hebrews,Persian,national letters.China's Uighur,Mongolia,manchu script alphabet evolved and so.
According to research,Phoenician alphabet are mainly on the basis of ancient Egypt for the picture of the text.In ancient Egypt,"A" is said "the minotaur" pictures; "B" is said "home" or "courtyard" pictures; "C" and "G" is "square" picture said; "D" is said "the doors" pictures; "E" is said a "raised his hands of the crying" pictures; "F","V","Y" is said "sticks" or "a great" pictures; "H" is a quarter said "linen roll" pictures; "I" is said "hand open" pictures; "K" is said "the picture of the palm"; "M" is said "water" pictures; "N" is "snakes" said pictures; "O" is said "eye" pictures; "P" is "mouth" said pictures; "Q" is the picture of the "ring said"; "R" means "nominal" pictures; "S" and "X" is said to "or" hills "fish" pictures; "T" is said "vertical" pictures; four-arm "Z" is "pry said" or "arrows" picture.The second century B.C.,Latin letters to have included this 23 letter.Later,in order to sculpture and handwritten convenience,and in order to make the vowels and consonants "V" of the "V" phase difference,gave the original to the bottom of the "V" to round and as a vowel "U"; And the two "V" linked up and turn out a do with "W" consonant,the "W" appear already is the 11 th century.The people later and the "I" a little change and the other makes a consonant letters "J".So,the original 23 letter plus "U","W","J" three letters,constitutes the 26 letters of the alphabet.In the middle ages,Latin letters basic finalize the design,the later western text (of course also include English) is evolved by it.