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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| post | Introduction to Pahlavi Vendidad script | Reading Avesta using the old scripts | 2022-09-15 00:00:00 | pahlavi-vendidad-avesta-intro/ | false | language | Mahdi | <link rel="stylesheet" href="/css/khusro.css""> |
Pahlavi is the name associated with a group of scripts used to write Middle Persian and Avesta, ... (better research and introduction)
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Alphabet
There are 14 primary letters in Pahlavi Vendidad, some of which are used for multiple sounds. First, let's look at each letter of the alphabet individually.
n
Sound: n, v, r, u, û, o, ô, rarely l
Modern Persian equivalents: ن، و، ر، گاهی ل
Description: Joins with preceding f, gE, s, a, l, Z and G, but not with any succeeding letter. Pahlavi words ending with t, c, p, k and n, can optionally add an extra final n. |
Examples:
- n (û): a conjunction, meaning and, or; و.
- nnn (van): a tree, forest, jungle
- kyn (nêvak): good, beautiful, virtuous; نیک.
- nDXn (nihān): secret, concealed; نهان.
- rpn (vafra): ice, snow, hail, sleet. برف.
The table below is taken from Glossary of Pahlavi Vendidad (1953) by Dinsham D. Kapadia, which illustrates how the letters of the alphabet mix when they appear together.