Making Modern Alphabets

Though there are some admirable exceptions, history has shown that it is almost impossible for a culture to produce its own usable writing system from scratch. The lineage of alphabets has shown that they have almost all been "cultural borrowings."

Once a language group has its own written form, however--one elegantly adapted to their own speech and thought--the limits are off as to what they can do with it. An alphabet is a forum for unlimited creativity and expression--for the recording of histories, writing of music, of books, a vehicle for correspondence with each other, and a window on reading. It's also a bridge to other peoples and cultures.

Not everyone enjoys this benefit as yet, however. At least 2000 languages, spoken by a total of more than 300 million people, still lack a written form.

The Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) and other organizations encourage alphabet making (usually adaptations of national alphabets), literacy, and Bible translation in such languages.

It's common for speakers of these languages to want them written--to make them more useful. Some groups are fast becoming assimilated into national cultures and languages, a transition that can leave many drifting and rootless.

SIL's alphabet-related work is done in cooperation with national governments, individuals, and existing entities of host countries.

(Below) Navajo literacy chart.