Ottoman Turkish Alphabet
The Ottoman Turkish alphabet used a modified Arabic script with additional letters for Turkish sounds, used until 1928.
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About the Ottoman Turkish Alphabet
The Ottoman Turkish alphabet was a modified Arabic script used to write Ottoman Turkish from the 13th century until 1928. It included additional letters (پ, چ, ژ, گ, ڭ) for Turkish sounds not found in Arabic. The script was written from right to left and was replaced by the Latin alphabet in 1928 as part of Atatürk's reforms.
History
The Ottoman Turkish alphabet evolved from the Arabic script after the Turkic peoples adopted Islam. It was used for over 600 years until 1928, when Turkey switched to a Latin-based alphabet. The Ottoman script was complex, with many letters having multiple forms and ambiguous vowel notation, which contributed to the decision to reform.
Key Features
- Written from right to left
- Modified Arabic script
- Used until 1928
- Additional letters for Turkish
- Over 600 years of use
- Replaced by Latin alphabet