The Alphabet Letter Z

The Origin of the Alphabet

It is not known exactly when the earliest humans figured out the ability to pick up a stick and start drawing images with it, but when that moment happened, it may have been one of the single most important events in human history. The ability to write or draw may not be very impressive for us today, but imagine not being able to communicate your thoughts, feelings, or important events on paper. Where the only means of communication and recording of any thought, story, and event through history is by the words of another person. Ever play the game Telephone when you were a child? If not, this game starts out with a number of people forming a perfect circle. One person starts the game by whispering to the person to the left (or right) of them a single sentence. The person whispered to then whispers the sentence to the next person. The sentence is passed on around the circle to every single person playing until the first person who started the circle receives their sentence and says it out loud. The sentence is almost always never right and even so outrageous that it may only rhyme or sound like the original sentence. Now imagine telling a story by playing the game telephone with thousands of people, for several decades, and not having the person who originally told the story to confirm the truth. I imagine this is how stories turn into fables and folklore.

In his writings, Socrates recalls a sentence from Plato’s dialogue, Phaedrus, where he describes a story of a Great King named Thamus rejecting the invention of writing. Thamus rejects the use of letters because people will not use their memories. He felt that the gift of letters may contribute as much to forgetfulness as to remembrance by following human memory the luxury of fallibility (Drucker, 22). Thamus then points out that humans relied on their memories and other memory-aids (such as notched sticks or knotted strings) before the development of writing systems, and it appears that impressive feats of memorization were accomplished – major epics and sagas being passed on through generations by bards and storytellers. The Homeric epics in their original form are examples of “literary” creation without writing. Today there are many people that admire the virtues of oral communication, but all definitely agree that it has limitations most noticeably evident when the sheer mass of accumulated data overwhelms the individual human ability to store and recover it (Firmage, 3). The Homeric epics are great literary pieces but I can bet, from my experience of playing telephone as a child, that the story is not in it’s original content the way the author wanted them to be.

What would we do and how would we be without the writing system? In his book, The Story of the Alphabet, Edward Clodd states, “all that memory failed to overlap would be an absolute blank; the dateless and otherwise uninscribed monuments which the past had left behind would but deepen the darkness; all knowledge of the strivings and speculations of men of old would have been unattainable; all observation and experience through which science has advanced…irretrievably lost… Save in fragmentary echoes repeated by fugitive bards, the great epics of East and West would have perished, and the immortals literatures of successive ages never have existed. The invention of writing alone made possible the passage from barbarism to civilization, and secured the continuous progress of the human race.” The development of writing has been called the greatest of all human accomplishments. But there is still no clear evidence of who and when the writing system actually developed. Socrates’ story of Plato’s dialogue regarding the great king Thamus is hardly universally accepted. Herodotus, a Greek historian who was one of the first to write about the history of the grammata or stoicheia, as the letters were called at the time, described a process of fairly straightforward cultural borrowing: ‘The Phoenicians who came with Cadmus… introduced into Greece, after their settlement of the country, a number of accomplishments, of which the most important was writing, an art till then, I think, unknown to the Greeks. At first they used the same characters as all the other Phoenicians, but as time went on, and they changed their language, they also changed the shape of their letters.’ (Drucker, 22) Although we can believe that there may have been some borrowing of letters from one culture to the other, without solid evidence, it is still uncertain to whom and when the letters were developed.

We can safely say that human speech was developed before the alphabet. There are no people on earth without language, but there are languages that have no invented writing. In fact, many other forms of human communication were developed before the alphabet. The Lascaux Cave paintings in southern France are probably the oldest known traces of documented human communication dating back more than 200,000 years ago. Images of animals were drawn and painted on these walls. These images were not the beginning of fine art as we know it. Rather, it was the dawning of visual communications, because these early pictures were made for survival and were created for utilitarian and ritualistic purposes. The presence of what appear to be spear marks in sides of some of these animals indicates that they might have been used in magical rites designed to gain power over animals and success in the hunt. Or perhaps they were teaching aids to instruct the young on the process of hunting as a cooperative effort. (Meggs, 5)

Pictographic, or Iconographic, writing was the first actual writing. These were elementary pictures or sketches to represent the things depicted. Ideographic, or Hieroglyphic, writing developed from pictographic writing. Here, a picture represented associated ideas, abstractions, or even metaphors. A picture of a sun was not designated to representing the actual sun but also light, brightness, and day.

Sidebar: The earliest known hieroglyphs date from about 3100 B.C., and the last known written hieroglyphic inscription was carved in 394 A.D., many decades after Egypt had become a Roman colony. For nearly fifteen years, people looked with fascination at Egyptian hieroglyphs without understanding their meaning. Egyptian temple priests were known to be so secretive that Greek and Roman scholars believed that hieroglyphs were nothing more than magical symbols and sacred rites. In August of 1799, Napolean’s troops had discovered a black slab with inscriptions in the Egyptian town of Rosetta. The inscription was believed to contain two languages and three scripts: Egyptian hieroglyphics, Egyptian demotic script, and Greek. Finally in 1822, Jean-Francois Champollion(1790-1832) managed to decipher the Rosetta Stone and through his findings and new knowledge, enabled him to write an Egyptian Dictionary and Egyptian Grammar book. Both of which were published. His progress toward translating hieroglyphics enabled other nineteenth-century Egyptologists to unlock the mysteries of Egyptian history and culture silently preserved in hieroglyphics (Meggs, 10).

Phonetic writing is the next stage in the evolution of writing. In this stage, it was realized that written language could correspond to spoken language, that homonyms as well as homophones could be represented by the same sign. For example, the sun sign could now also be used to represent “son”. Signs now represented sounds.

The final development was Alphabetic writing. Most basically, an alphabet is a set of symbols representing sounds. It is composed of letters. Each letter is a visual sign representing a distinctive sound. This designated signs for individual vowels and consonants, even though the latter cannot technically be sounded themselves. (Vowels are unstopped voiced sounds – always produced by a vibration of vocal cords. Consonants are sounds made with a noticeable obstruction of the air stream.) The development of writing therefore evolved from a picture representing a thing to a symbol representing the name of a thing – the picture of a sound. (Firmage, 6).

Sidebar: Like us, people of ancient times did not know when and who invented writing but still realized the significance of this invention. Because they realized the importance of this accomplishment, many different ancient societies credit the first writing to their gods or to divinely inspired activity. The Babylonians credited the god Nebo with the invention of letters; the Egyptians ascribed it to the god Thoth. A Greek legend credited Hermes ( the Greek Equivalent of Thoth), who was said to have modeled the letters after the patterns of flights of cranes while he was in exile or traveling in Egypt. In Islamic doctrine, Allah secretly gave the alphabet to Adam, saying that it was not known to the angels. A Dionysian scholastic tradition maintained that the letters fell from heaven; in Irish legend the heo Ogmisos is credited with the invention of writing. To the Indians, Brahma was the inventor; to the Scandinavians, Odin. (Firmage, 8)

Alphabets have gradually changed, developed, and been refined through time. Although letters do not alter in “meaning”, their forms have undergone great alteration and are still changing or are capable of it (Firmage, 8). As William O. Mason wrote in The History of the Art of Writing, this is a whole volume of human history behind each one of the letters: “These simple symbols, apparently so arbitrary and meaningless to our latter-day eyes, are replete with the linguistic, even domestic, history of countless generations of our remote ancestors.” Although I cannot possibly fit all the significant aspects, history, and information that apply to every letter in the alphabet in a single thesis, my goal is to show the reader the importance of one very underused yet significant letter of the alphabet. The letter “Z”.

The letter “Z”

Forgotten, omitted, illegitimate, unusual, and unnecessary. These are only some of the words that some scholars from the past described the letter Z. In Shakespeare’s time, Z was even taken out from contemporary dictionaries. It was also believed that Z was equivalent to a double S in sound so it should be considered a subdivision of S. In fact, the Latin writer Martius once said that Z was not a true letter but rather a double hissing sound. In it’s history, the letter has been removed from it’s original place, insulted, only to be once again remembered and respected to be joined among the honored ranks of the other letters. Make no mistake of it, the letter Z is a significant part of our alphabet and is here to stay.

Z is the last letter of both English (twenty-sixth) and classical Roman (twenty-third) alphabets. However, it was once the seventh letter of the Roman alphabet and was descended from the Greek letter zeta and the Phoenician letter zayin, both of which were also among the first letters of their respective alphabet. Thus, it represents the number seven. Some believe that the Phoenician Zayin may represent a dagger, while others suppose it represents an inversion of an early N sign, relating to lightning. Although the early Roman alphabet borrowed the sign with its “Z” sound from the Greeks, the Romans had very little use for the sound, which for their purpose was covered by the letter S. This may explain why in places like Britain, where the Roman alphabet may have had some influence, do people replace their Z’s with the letter S (e.g. apologise, realise, maximise).

During the last centuries of the Republic, an increased contact with Greece led Greek words becoming more common in Roman usage. To fulfill the need for the Z sound, the Romans first used an S and then a double S to represent it. Finally, in the beginning of the first century, A.D. Z was again a fully accepted letter of the alphabet. Yet instead of regaining it’s original spot in the alphabet, Z, with it’s new form, also joined new letter Y at the end of the alphabet.

Sidebar: Although restored to the ranks of the letters, Z, was still considered by many Romans to be an interloper; it was not a fully legitimate letter because it was only used in the spelling of Greek words. The Romans called the letter by it’s Greek name zeta. The English name for the letter zed derives from the Greek and Roman name, while the American name zee follows the general Roman and English letter-naming practice. This letter is therefore also exceptional in having two different names within the same language group. This is unusual, but not too surprising considering the many names that the letter has had throughout English history. One early English name for Z was “izzard”, which probably derived from the French et zede (“and z”), from the custom of putting in an “and” before the last letter in oral recitations of the alphabet. Other recorded English variants of the letter name include zad, zard, ezod, uzzard (Firmage, 267).

So now comes the part where I attempt to argue that the letter Z is the most important letter of the alphabet. Of course choosing one letter of the alphabet and noting it the most important letter is a subjective idea but as you may soon see, the letter Z may be the one letter that best fits this idea.

In his book Champ Fleury, Geofroy Tory describes the letter Z as a noble letter that contains within itself every token of perfection. Tory draws an image of a divine spirit standing on top of the letter Z. Next to the letter are words that signify in allegory the upward path to beatitude. He states, “…In connection with which I have drawn above the letter a small divine spirit, standing upon his feet ready to award the crown, the scepter, the palm, or the laurel wreath to all those who shall well and diligently labor to acquire learning, rising from step to step, even to the state of perfection”. So, Z can be said to be the final ascent to our goals. (Show Tory’s image next to this paragraph) Tory further mentions, “I can say that the worthy ancient father covertly and purposely placed this letter in the last alphabetical order, to indicate that those who are perfectly accomplished and learned in well-made letters are inspectors and sovereign judges of the revenue and of the knowledge of the seven Liberal Arts and the nine Muses, without knowledge of whom man can neither learned or perfect.” This argument makes perfect sense. Everyone can agree that in order to fully master something, one must almost always complete a final task. That final task will usually be the hardest task. Take for instance, Karate or any martial arts form of combat. To be a master at this, one must complete and learn everything building up to black belt status. Or even video games. We always build up to the last level to get our reward. Another great example that comes to mind as I write this is the completion of one’s thesis. The thesis is the last and final task in order for someone to finally receive there prestigious degree.

To further talk about the idea of the letter Z representing mastery, in the Book, The Alphabet Abecedarium, the author Richard A. Firmage states that Z is commonly the last of any alphabetic serial order and has come to be used allusively for the “end” of something, as in the phrase, “from A to Z”. In representing the finish, Z has also come to have connotations of accomplishment, learning, or mastery. As to know the ABCs about something is to be well-prepared, to begin, so to know the XYZs is to have mastered the subject. Famous American poet, Wallace Stevens, referred to this when he called Z the “polymath” – one who is outstanding in his or her learnedness, having great understanding in many areas of knowledge.

Side bar: Another important example that describes the significance and importance of the letter Z is when relating it to lighting. In its relation to lightning, Victor Hugo also related it to God, the heavenly source of that power which was represented in Greek mythology by the chief god and lightning bearer, Zeus (Firmage, 271).

Side bar: Yes, Z is a very special letter. (Just now I had to look for it on my keyboard.) It's special because it is the only letter, when shown, with thick and thins, where the bold stroke goes from top right to bottom left.

-Seymour Chwast

Side bar: It’s a very dynamic letter, having such a strong horizontal and diagonal construction. It’s also one of the few letters that has the same form in cap and lower case (except when written in script). And it has a very distinctive sound that is like a drill running (plays on fear of dentists and snakes). –Tom Dolle

The letter Z in Modern Day Society and Media.

The letter Z has a major effect in modern day society and media. If you haven’t yet, pay attention next time you are walking around the city, reading your magazine, watching television, or listening to the radio. The letter Z is all around you. It is a letter used frequently, but not so much that people grow tired of it. It’s look and sound commands attention but not so much attention that it’s value grows old. And every time it is used, it describes it’s subject with great importance. The following pages show some examples of the letter Z in modern day society. It is important to note that in all the cases I came upon, almost all the examples submit the letter in great value. Whether this is done purposely, I don’t know, but we can all agree that the letter Z is one important letter.

(Following pages will be a collage/montage of all the modern day examples of Z)

- In the September 19, 2005 issue of “The New Yorker”, there is an article called “The Lost City of Z”. Where the “City of Z” is a mysterious place in the middle of the Amazon that explorers in the early 20^th Century described as “the last great blank space in the world.” A clear relationship between the letter Z being the last letter and the “City of Z” as the last great blank space in the world.

- In the word game “Scrabble”, using the letter Z gives the player the most points than any other letter in the alphabet.

- “Zzzzz” = Sleeping

- Dogtown and the Z boys. A movie about the pioneers of skateboarding.

- Z (the movie/documentary. Based on true events, director Costa-Gavras's Oscar-winning film chronicles the overthrow of the democratic government in Greece. The edge-of-your-seat action closely parallels the real-life assassination of Gregorios Lambrakis, a Greek doctor and humanist whose murder in 1963 led to an abortive public scandal. Part mystery and part thriller, Z made its mark as a groundbreaking political roman à clef, and it resonates even today (1969).

- Dragon Ball Z. A very popular Japanese anime about heroes with special powers protecting the earth and it’s people from evil villains of different worlds. This is a teaser from one of the many sagas of Dragon Ball Z to show outsiders how serious this cartoon can get:

Vegeta Saga I: The opening shot in the battle for planet Earth was fired when the Saiyan warrior Raditz exploded into an unready world. But the worst is yet to come. Raditz has foretold the coming of his Saiyan brethren, two mercenaries who subjugate entire worlds and sell them to the highest bidder. Earth's only hope lies with Goku, only there's one horrifying factor. Goku is nowhere to be found! Goku's way back to Earth lies along Snake Way, a twisted highway fraught with unbelievable peril. For in one year's time the Saiyans will arrive. Can Goku make it back...or will the planet be lost forever?

- Jay- Z. One of the world’s most popular hip-hop artists/producer and one of the founders of Roc-a-Fella records.

- Zoro. Book turned Movie:

Isabel Allende's lively retelling of the Zorro legend reads as effortlessly as the hero himself might slice his trademark "Z" on the wall with a flash of his sword. Born Diego de la Vega in 1795 to the valiant hidalgo, Alejandro, and the beautiful Regina, the daughter of a Spanish deserter and an Indian shaman, our hero grows up in California before traveling to Spain. Raised alongside his wet nurse's son, Bernardo, Diego becomes friends for life with his "milk brother," despite the boys' class differences. Though born into privilege, Diego has deep ties to California's exploited natives—both through blood and friendship—that account for his abiding sense of justice and identification with the underdog. In Catalonia, these instincts as well as Diego's swordsmanship intrigue Manuel Escalante, a member of the secret society La Justicia. Escalante recruits Diego into the society, which is dedicated to fighting all forms of oppression, and thus begins Diego's construction of his dashing, secret alter ego, Zorro. With loyal Bernardo at his side, Zorro hones his fantastic skills, evolves into a noble hero and returns to California to reclaim his family's estate in a breathtaking duel. All the while, he encounters numerous historical figures, who anchor this incredible tale in a reality that enriches and contextualizes the Zorro myth. Allende's latest page-turner explodes with vivid characterization and high-speed storytelling.

- Cars: BMW Z4, Chevy Z21, Mazda slogan: ZOOM ZOOM!, Nissan’s the new (350) Z.

- Z Film Festival – For Independent films/cinema.