ogham

[prettygoodword]

ogham (OH-uhm, AW-guhm) - n., an alphabetic script used for Primitive Irish and related Celtic languages; any of the 20 letters of this script; any writing in this script.


The letterforms are one or more strokes (for consonants) or notches (for vowels) cut on or across a central line on a stone or piece of wood -- said line could be cut itself or a corner could be used. The name is from Irish, but its origin is unknown. An example from the Isle of Man -- it reads BIVAIDONAS MAQI MUCOI CUNAVA[LI], or in English, "Of Bivaidonas, son of the tribe Cunava[li]"


Thanks, WikiMedia!

---L.

Comments

[thistleingrey]

CISP is a bit long in the tooth as internet sites go, but what's available there (if you adjust for the now old-fashioned navigation) is worth a few minutes even for non-specialists. The Maps link at the bottom is nice, e.g. (I am a non-specialist, but I had the honor of sitting in a seminar led by the project's PI, once upon a time.)

[prettygoodword]

Ooo, sweet. Thank you!