The History of English Podcast: Bonus Episode 2 – History of the Alphabet

Host: Kevin Stroud
Release Date: February 24, 2013
Description: The Spoken History of a Global Language

Introduction to the Bonus Episode

In this special bonus episode of The History of English Podcast, host Kevin Stroud delves into the meticulously crafted Alphabet Series, a comprehensive exploration of the evolution of the English alphabet. Although a regular episode wasn't prepared for this week, Kevin seized the opportunity to introduce his extensive Alphabet series and offer listeners an exclusive excerpt from it.

Kevin Stroud (00:00): "I finally committed myself to finishing that Alphabet series, which I've been mentioning from time to time. And I'm happy to report that that series is finally ready."

Overview of the Alphabet Series

Kevin explains that his decision to create a dedicated Alphabet series was inspired by listener interest following an early episode on the letter "C." Initially intended to integrate alphabetic insights sporadically, the depth and interconnectedness of the topic led Kevin to expand it into a standalone series spanning approximately five hours.

Kevin Stroud (00:55): "The series begins with a look at the overall history of the Alphabet, from the early forms of writing in the Middle East to the early Semitic Alphabet, then the Phoenicians and Greeks and so on."

The series not only revisits previously discussed content but also delves deeper into the intricate relationships between letters, revealing how certain letters share historical and phonetic connections. For instance, the relationship between the letters "C" and "Q" is explored in greater detail, highlighting their shared representation of the "K" sound.

Accessing the Alphabet Series

The Alphabet series is available as an audiobook, distinct from the podcast format. Kevin discusses the distribution plans, including availability on iTunes and other audiobook platforms, though at the time of recording, it was accessible directly through his website.

Kevin Stroud (04:30): "You can get the audiobook from my website, historyofenglishpodcast.com, and all the information is right there on the front page."

The series is divided into two volumes, each approximately two and a half hours long. To support the podcast and compensate for the extensive effort invested, Kevin charges a modest fee of $6 for the complete series or $3 per volume.

Kevin Stroud (05:10): "I'm charging a small amount for the series for a couple of reasons. First, it's taken me quite a bit of time to put it together... it's a way you can support the podcast if you'd like to do that."

Excerpt from the Alphabet Series: Exploring the Constant Consonants

Kevin concludes the bonus episode by sharing an excerpt from the Alphabet series, focusing on the "constant consonants"—letters that have maintained their positions and primary sounds since the Phoenician Alphabet over 3,000 years ago. This segment underscores the remarkable consistency of these letters despite changes in their shapes and names.

1. Letter B

• Historical Background: Originates from the Phoenician letter Bayat or Beth, meaning "house," depicted as a simplified house shape.

• Evolution: Transitioned through Greek (Beta) and Roman (Bae) influences, leading to its modern form and pronunciation.

• Notable Quote:

  Kevin Stroud (10:15): "By around 500 BC, almost all Greek writing was from left to right, like our modern way of writing."

2. Letter D

• Historical Background: From the Phoenician Daleth, meaning "door," originally resembling a triangular shape.

• Evolution: Adapted into Greek (Delta) with a more angular form and then into Latin, morphing into the modern "D."

• Notable Quote:

  Kevin Stroud (20:45): "The later Greeks kept a straight line as the backbone of the letter, but they started to convert the other two lines into a single curved line."

3. Letters L, M, N

• Letter L:

  • Origin: Phoenician Lamed, meaning "cattle prod," initially a backward checkmark.
  • Evolution: Greek (Lambda) to Roman, flattening into the contemporary "L."

• Letter M:

  • Origin: Phoenician Mem, meaning "water," depicted as wavy lines symbolizing waves.
  • Evolution: Simplified through Greek (Mu) to modern "M."

• Letter N:

  • Origin: Phoenician Nun, initially symbolizing a snake or fish.
  • Evolution: Transformed into Greek (Nu) and then Latin, resulting in the modern "N."

• Notable Quote:

  Kevin Stroud (30:30): "Just like the prior letters, our modern letter N still resembles a snake, only it has the sharp, angular lines which you get with chisels and stone."

4. Letters P and R

• Letter P:

  • Origin: Phoenician Pe, meaning "mouth," originally V-shaped.
  • Evolution: Transitioned into a hook shape in Greek and Latin, eventually resembling the modern "P."

• Letter R:

  • Origin: Phoenician Resh, meaning "head," depicted as a profile of a man's head.
  • Evolution: Greek (Rho) retained the P-like shape, but Romans added a diagonal leg to distinguish it from "P."

• Notable Quote:

  Kevin Stroud (40:00): "The Romans added the little extra diagonal leg to the letter we know today as letter r, and they did it to distinguish it in shape from the letter P."

5. Letter T

• Historical Background: From Phoenician Taw, meaning "mark," originally an intersecting line resembling a modern lowercase "t."

• Evolution: Greek (Tau) streamlined the shape, which persisted through Etruscan and Roman adaptations to the contemporary "T."

• Notable Quote:

  Kevin Stroud (50:00): "The modern lowercase t emerged from a writing style in northern Europe called black letter writing."

Conclusion

This bonus episode offers a fascinating glimpse into Kevin Stroud's Alphabet Series, providing both an overview of the series and a substantive excerpt that highlights the enduring legacy of certain consonants in the English alphabet. By tracing the historical trajectories of letters like B, D, L, M, N, P, R, and T, Kevin illuminates the intricate interplay between language, culture, and writing systems over millennia.

For listeners keen to delve deeper, the full Alphabet Series is available for purchase on historyofenglishpodcast.com, promising an extensive exploration of the alphabet's rich history.