On the Origin of the Indian Brahma Alphabet c7.s2.8

c7.s2.8

The case of *U* (No 6, Col. VI, a) is somewhat different. It has been customary to derive the sign directly from one of the later forms of the Semitic *Waw*. Considering the facts, connected with the linguals and with initial *I*, I would propose to derive it either directly from the old Semitic *Waw*, turned topsy-turvy, or from the Brāhma *va* by a bisection of the circle at the foot of the sign and the substitution of a straight line for the irregular pendant, which remained. The several steps were, therefore, 𑀉 or 𑀉, 𑀉, 𑀉, and finally¹ 𑀉. It is probable that phonetic considerations, the observation of the frequent substitution of *u* for *va* in weak verbal and nominal forms, as in *uhyate*, *upyate*, *supyate*, *upta*, *supta*, *uṣita*, from *vah*, *vap*, *svap* and *vas*, may have led to the adoption of this proceeding. The framers of the Brāhma alphabet were, as pointed out already, Brahmans, acquainted with phonetics and with grammatical theories.