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Mashtots

Mashtots, also known as Mesrop Mashtots, was an Armenian monk, theologian, and linguist who created the Armenian alphabet in 405–406 CE with the collaboration of Catholicos Sahak Partev. Born in the late 4th century in the Kingdom of Armenia, his birthplace is not precisely known. He is traditionally credited with devising a native script to translate the Bible and to promote literacy among Armenians, enabling the development of a distinct Armenian literary and religious culture.

The Armenian alphabet was designed to represent Armenian phonology and to support liturgical use and education

Over time, the script evolved with the addition of a few letters, and the modern Armenian alphabet

Mashtots is venerated as a saint in the Armenian Apostolic Church and is regarded as a foundational

in
the
Armenian
language.
The
original
script
consisted
of
36
letters,
crafted
to
facilitate
accurate
reading
and
writing
of
Armenian.
The
invention
had
a
lasting
impact
by
enabling
the
translation
of
religious
texts,
the
production
of
literary
works,
and
the
standardization
of
Armenian
language
and
identity
across
communities.
comprises
39
letters,
used
for
both
Eastern
and
Western
Armenian.
The
alphabet
played
a
central
role
in
the
spread
of
literacy,
education,
and
Christian
scholarship
throughout
Armenia
and
the
Armenian
diaspora.
figure
in
Armenian
culture
and
education.
The
invention
of
the
Armenian
alphabet
is
commemorated
in
Armenia
and
in
Armenian
communities
worldwide
on
the
Day
of
the
Armenian
Alphabet,
observed
on
April
23.