Fidel Alphabet
The Fidel alphabet enables you to easily type Amharic online without installing. Writing Amharic using the Fidel Alphabet has never been easier! Our Amharic keyboard is designed to provide a seamless typing experience. Whether you are a native speaker or a language enthusiast, the keyboard simplifies the process of inputting Fidel characters by combining phonetic-based and traditional layouts.
Introduction
Fidel, also known as the Ge'ez script, is the writing system traditionally used in Ethiopia and Eritrea. It is an abugida, meaning each symbol represents a consonant-vowel syllable. The word "Fidel" in Amharic and Tigrigna literally means "alphabet" or "letter".
Languages Using Fidel
- Ge'ez - liturgical
- Amharic - official language of Ethiopia
- Tigrinya - spoken in Eritrea and Tigray region in Ethiopia
- Gurage, Agew, and others - parts of Ethiopia
Historical Background
- The script originally derived from the South Arabian script 'Sabaean' around 500 BCE.
- The earliest form was a consonant-only abjad.
- Around the 4th century CE, Ge'ez evolved into an abugida, where vowels were incorporated by modifying the consonant characters.
- This transformation was likely influenced by religious needs, particularly for writing Christian texts clearly.
Structure and Characteristics
A. Core Characters
- The script has 26 base consonants - though older forms had more, and some sounds are now obsolete.
- Each consonant has 7 derivative forms, representing different vowels.
B. Vowel Modifications
Each base consonant changes shape slightly depending on the vowel attached. These are known as orders or forms. This pattern applies consistently across most consonants.
C. Diacritics
Unlike other abugidas like Devanagari, Fidel does not use separate diacritical marks for vowels. The entire character shape changes to reflect the vowel.
Phonetics
- Fidel represents nearly all the consonant and vowel sounds in Amharic and related languages.
- Each syllable is a single character.
- Ge'ez is phonemic, meaning what you write is what you say with some minor exceptions in modern usage.
Writing Style
- Written left to right.
- No uppercase or lowercase letters.
- Punctuation has evolved over time and now includes periods '።', commas '፣', colons '፡', and question marks '፧'.
- Traditional manuscripts are often beautifully illustrated with religious art.
Modern Usage
- Amharic, the federal working language of Ethiopia, is written exclusively in Fidel.
- Tigrinya, used in Eritrea and Tigray region of Ethiopia, also uses the script.
- Ge'ez remains the liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and Eritrean Orthodox Church.
- Taught in schools across Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Cultural Significance
- Fidel is not just a writing system; it is a cultural symbol of Ethiopian identity and heritage.
- It connects Ethiopians with their ancient past, religious traditions, and literary history.
- Manuscripts written in Fidel are treasured for their aesthetic, historical, and spiritual value.