The Alphabet As Symbols

We have many terms that we use to describe the shapes or patterns in the world around us. Of course, there are the basic geometric shapes like circle, square and, triangle. Some things may be described as existing in layers or loops or, concentric circles. Others as egg-shaped or elliptical.

Commonly used terms to describe layout plans or patterns are star or tree. A highway interchange is referred to as a cloverleaf because of the similarity in shape. We also make use of the letters of the alphabet and the number 8 to describe the shapes of things. You may have heard terms such as; V-formation, S-curve. A-frame, I-beam or, Y-intersection. The letters D, C, L and, T are also used often to describe shapes or forms that would otherwise be more difficult to describe.

Our alphabet originated from earlier hieroglyphics. The first people to use an alphabet was probably the Phoenicians, an ancient nation around what is now Lebanon that was best-known for it's seafaring.

I got to thinking; now that we are in modern times, wouldn't it be a good idea to get the most use out of the alphabet by having all of the letters resembling some pattern or form that is in everyday use? Being able to simply refer to a letter to describe a common shape would make our language more efficient. The letters of the alphabet other than the ones I have listed above seem to have little or no form-symbol value.

It would make it easier to communicate efficiently if there was a letter like an upside down T, since this is the form of antennae, towers and, signposts supported on a horizontal base. A canyon-shape would be useful, like a V but three sides of a square. The division symbol used in arithmetic would also be useful, a line with a dot on each side of the line.

Another common form seen in roads with ramps is the joining of two perpendicular lines but with a partial loop instead of a right angle. Yet another practical modern symbol would be a circle like an O but with a dot in the middle, this form appears often with coaxial cables and also represents the radius a given distance from a central point. A crescent within a rectangle is a form frequently seen on street maps of cities and would make a useful letter.

A straight line meeting a curving line would be similarly useful. A straight line with two or three perpendicular lines meeting it would represent a common form in both street patterns and electrical wiring. Then, when we wanted to describe any such shapes or forms we could simply refer to the letter.