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Two Different Forms of This Letter

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2020 9:59 pm
by Paidion
In Greek, there are two different forms of the letter “sigma.”
The first first form is “σ” (pronounced like the English “s”).
It is used at the beginning of a Greek word, or somewhere in the middle.
Here are two examples:

First Form:
συν (with)
αποστολος (apostle)

The second form is used at the end of a Greek word.
Here are two examples:

Second Form:
θεος (God)
αποστολος (apostle)

Now the surprising matter is that earlier English used two forms of the letter “s” in exactly the same way!

Consider the phrase “cover all bases.” Here is the way “bases” was spelled:

baʃes

The word “sail” was spelled “ʃail”.

There was even a different name given to the letter that was used at the beginning or middle of a word.
It was not “es” but “esh”.

Re: Two Different Forms of This Letter

Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2020 7:42 pm
by Homer
Hi Paidion,

That was interesting - thanks!

Homer