Who Invented the English Alphabet?
Creation of the English alphabet is generally credited to the Sumerians and the Mesoamericans. The English alphabet contains several components, including letters and phonetics. Writing is believed to have emerged as a form of communication by ancient Sumerians, who began producing written works around 3000 BCE.
While some historians credit the Sumerians with creation of the written language which would evolve into the English alphabet, the Mesoamericans have also received credit for creating a written language. The Mesoamericans produced written documents before 600 BCE, which historians believe to be an expansion of the writings initiated by the Sumerians. The English alphabet contains characteristics of ancient Sumerian cuneiform, including grouping writing into rows and reading from from left to right, from top to bottom.
