Page:The Aryan Origin of the Alphabet.djvu/65

Rh derived, as we have seen, from G. The phonetic value of X, is sometimes transferred in the Runes to a sign which seems the Runic K sign with an extra stroke on its left side, and might be regarded as an X written with its stem erect and one of its lower limbs turned up. In Ogam the X sign has the value of X or Kh.

This semi-vowel is generally regarded as a late letter and sound. But many Assyriologists render the Sumerian signs for I and the diphthong IA as Y, sometimes, and credit the Sumerians with the use of this sound. Semitists call the I sign in "Semitic" Phœnician and Hebrew Yod, and render it both as I, J and Y; and thus obtain the forms of Y-h-v-h and Jah for their name "Jehovah."

The sign Y is found on Early Egyptian pottery as owner's marks. In the Cadmean and Greek it is regarded as the capital form of the letter U or V, from which it is considered to be derived, especially as in the "Semitic" Phœnician the old sign for that letter U has a tail on its right border, which is centred in the Moabite Stone inscription.

This derivation from the U explains the interchange of U and Y in the transliteration of Greek words. The signs read Ja on the Indian Kharosthi versions of Asokas inscriptions are of the Y form. On the lapse of Y into I in English, see under I.

This sibilant letter sign, in its earlier Cadmean "Semitic" Phoenician and Greek forms occurs on Egyptian pottery as graven owner's marks from the Pre-dynastic period downwards (see Plate II).

Its Sumerian parent is now seen to be the battle-axe or sceptre sign ‡ with the phonetic value of Zag. The second form, like the capital I with long strokes at either