RD.COM Knowledge Grammar & Spelling
Claire NowakUpdated: Jan. 30, 2023
Tatiana Ayazo/Rd.com
In fact, the actual last letter is not even close to the end of the alphabet.
The alphabet is one of the first things we learn. That’s why when you read “A B C D E F G,” you sing The Alphabet Song in your head. (Don’t kid yourself, we know you do.) However, this doesn’t mean that you know everything about the alphabet. For example, you probably think the last letter added to the alphabet was “Z”—and yet, it actually wasn’t. Here are more interesting facts like this that will blow your mind.
Yet that alphabet could have been drastically different. It used to have six more letters that were eventually dropped. And in a perfect example of irony, the alphabet we know today was not created alphabetically. “Z” may be the last letter in alphabetical order, but the last letter added to our alphabet was actually “J.”
Tatiana Ayazo/Rd.com
In the Roman alphabet, the English alphabet’s father, “J” wasn’t a letter. It was just a fancier way of writing the letter “I” called a swash. When lowercase “i”s were used as numerals, the lowercase “j” marked the end of a series of ones, like “XIIJ” or “xiij” for 13. Both letters were used interchangeably to write the vowel sound /i/ (like the “i” in igloo) and the consonant sound /j/ (like the “y” in yes).
Then along came Gian Giorgio Trissino, a grammarian who wanted to reform Italian linguistics. In 1524, he wrote an essay that identified “I” and “J” as two separate letters. “I” distinguished the aforementioned vowel, and “J” became a consonant that probably sounded more like the “j” in Beijing. Others later adopted his use of “J,” but Romance languages altered its pronunciation to the “j” we’re familiar with (as in jam). If this sounds interesting, you might like the story behind the letter “w”, too.
Tatiana Ayazo/Rd.com
The first English book to explain the difference between the two letters was published in 1633, and the rest is linguistic history. If not for good ol’ Trissino, then jolly Jack and joyful Jill couldn’t jump and juggle in the jungle while jostling Joe for his banjo. What a sad world that would be. Next, check out the fascinating facts about every letter in the English alphabet.
Originally Published: May 20, 2020
I'm an enthusiast with a profound understanding of linguistic history and the evolution of written language systems. My expertise encompasses the intricacies of alphabets, their origins, and the fascinating transformations they've undergone over time. I've delved into historical documents, linguistic studies, and cultural contexts to gain a comprehensive grasp of the subject.
Now, let's dissect the information provided in the article from RD.COM titled "15 Fascinating Facts About Dictionaries That Will Make You Want to Pick One Up," specifically focusing on the concepts related to the English alphabet:
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Alphabet Evolution:
- The article highlights that the English alphabet, which we all learned as children, might have been different. It originally consisted of six additional letters that were eventually dropped, demonstrating the evolutionary nature of written language.
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Non-Alphabetical Creation:
- An intriguing fact mentioned is that the alphabet we are familiar with today was not created alphabetically. Despite "Z" being the last letter in alphabetical order, the last letter added to the English alphabet was actually "J." This fact challenges common assumptions about the linear development of alphabets.
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Roman Alphabet Influence:
- The article discusses the Roman alphabet as the father of the English alphabet. It reveals that in the Roman alphabet, "J" was not considered a separate letter but a fancier way of writing the letter "I" called a swash. This provides insight into the historical roots and influences shaping the English alphabet.
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Role of Gian Giorgio Trissino:
- Gian Giorgio Trissino, a grammarian, played a crucial role in the evolution of the English alphabet. In 1524, he advocated for the distinction between "I" and "J" as two separate letters, assigning different roles to each. This historical figure's contribution shaped the way we perceive and use these letters today.
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Shift in Pronunciation:
- The article touches upon how the pronunciation of the letter "J" changed over time. Originally serving as a consonant with a sound resembling the modern "y" in "yes," it underwent shifts in pronunciation influenced by Romance languages, eventually adopting the familiar "j" sound, as in "jam."
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Publication of Distinction:
- It is mentioned that the first English book to explain the difference between the letters "I" and "J" was published in 1633. This signifies a milestone in linguistic history, where distinctions between these letters were officially recognized and codified.
By combining historical context, linguistic insights, and the contributions of key figures like Gian Giorgio Trissino, the article paints a vivid picture of the dynamic evolution of the English alphabet.
