konsonanttikirjoitusjärjestelmä

A konsonanttikirjoitusjärjestelmä, often referred to as an abjad, is a writing system where each symbol represents a consonant. Vowels are typically not written, although in some cases, diacritical marks or other conventions may be used to indicate them. This system is common in Semitic languages such as Arabic, Hebrew, and Aramaic. The reader usually infers the correct vowels based on context and linguistic knowledge. The absence of explicit vowel representation can make these scripts appear abbreviated, but they are fully functional for native speakers. The development of abjads predates systems that explicitly represent both consonants and vowels. Many modern alphabets, including the Latin alphabet, are thought to have evolved from earlier consonantal writing systems. The simplicity of representing only consonants made them efficient to learn and use in their early forms. While some modern adaptations of abjads do include vowel indicators for specific purposes, such as religious texts or teaching materials, the core principle remains the representation of consonants.