Could you read the following text?
عَرَبُ تّمِۻْ
Even if you are familiar with the Arabic script, you will notice some of its characters are different from the Arabic letterforms.
This is connected to the Tamil script. Let's find out more.
A thread 🧵 👇
عَرَبُ تّمِۻْ
Even if you are familiar with the Arabic script, you will notice some of its characters are different from the Arabic letterforms.
This is connected to the Tamil script. Let's find out more.
A thread 🧵 👇
Although it looks like Arabic, it is Arwi, the Arabic-influenced dialect of Tamil.
Arwi is also known as Arabu-Tamil.
With 28 letters from the Arabic alphabet and 12, specifically modified Arabic glyphs to form the Tamil sounds creates the Arwi alphabet.
Arwi is also known as Arabu-Tamil.
With 28 letters from the Arabic alphabet and 12, specifically modified Arabic glyphs to form the Tamil sounds creates the Arwi alphabet.
Special 12 letters are formed by adding some marks and dots
to the original Arabic Alphabet.
Eighteen Arabic letters do not have their equivalents in Tamil from the phonetic point of view.
Similarly, ten Tamil letters and two vowel sounds have no equivalents in Arabic.
to the original Arabic Alphabet.
Eighteen Arabic letters do not have their equivalents in Tamil from the phonetic point of view.
Similarly, ten Tamil letters and two vowel sounds have no equivalents in Arabic.
With that Arabu-Tamil aka Arwi consists of 40 letters.
As in the Arabic script, the Arwi is also written from right to left.
Arabu-Tamil was widespread in Kayalpattinam, Kilakarai and Colombo.
Here is an image of a tombstone in Kilakarai, engraved Arwi on it.
As in the Arabic script, the Arwi is also written from right to left.
Arabu-Tamil was widespread in Kayalpattinam, Kilakarai and Colombo.
Here is an image of a tombstone in Kilakarai, engraved Arwi on it.
Arwi was enriched, promoted and developed in Kayalpattinam, India.
According to historical records, Arwi flourished in the 11th century in coastal Tamil Nadu and Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka).
According to historical records, Arwi flourished in the 11th century in coastal Tamil Nadu and Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka).
As a result of Arab traders visiting in search of exotic spices.
The Arabs and the Tamil Muslims might have played their role evenly in the development of Arabu-Tamil.
The Arabs and the Tamil Muslims might have played their role evenly in the development of Arabu-Tamil.
Native Arabs started to write transliteration of Tamil using Arabic letters and from the Tamil Muslims collaborated to make the alphabet modifications.
Here is an informative article that explores the Decline of ‘Arabu-Tamil’ Language.
colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-…
Here is an informative article that explores the Decline of ‘Arabu-Tamil’ Language.
colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-…
It is evident that Arwi rendered a most useful service for the advancement and progress of Arab culture and Tamil culture.
Arwi has been encoded into Unicode.
Arwi has been encoded into Unicode.
The evolution of letterforms and writing systems is a fascinating journey of discovery.
As you explore, surprises and aesthetics begin to emerge.
Oh, almost forgot to say, Arabu Tamil (عَرَبُ تّمِۻْ) is written in Arwi letters in the first tweet.
As you explore, surprises and aesthetics begin to emerge.
Oh, almost forgot to say, Arabu Tamil (عَرَبُ تّمِۻْ) is written in Arwi letters in the first tweet.
If you have enjoyed this thread🧵, share it with your friends by retweeting and liking it.
And want more interesting things about Tamil script and typography in general.
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And want more interesting things about Tamil script and typography in general.
Then follow @ThariqueAzeez
https://twitter.com/ThariqueAzeez/status/1454675806710423552
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