Coptic language

Out of the six stages, the name given to the last phase of Egyptian language is Coptic language. The origin of this Coptic language or the Coptic script dates back to the second century B.C. The script is mainly used while writing the Egyptian language.

Egyptian language can be divided into three distinct phases, ancient Egyptian language, intermediate Egyptian language and new Egyptian language. These languages with many dialects were spoken in various parts of Egypt. However, the languages and the scripts underwent many changes. Instead of Hieroglyphic scripts, Heratic scripts were brought into use. The script was further simplified into Demotic script at the time when the new Egyptian language was being applied in writings. The new Egyptian language gave way to the introduction of Coptic language.

The structure of the Coptic language consists of 32 alphabets and 7(+1) demotic letters. The 32 alphabets are as follows:

Alpha	Vita	Ghamma
Dhelta	Ei	So
Zeta	Eeta	Theta
Yota	Kabba	Lola
Me	Ne	Exi
O	Pi	Ro
Sima	Tav	Epsilon
Fi	Khe	Epsi
Oou	Shy	Fay
Khay	Hory	Genga
Tsheema	Tee

Besides the use of letters, Coptic language also comprises ‘Jenkem’, which is a special symbol for an apostrophe. Jenkem resembles the Latin apostrophe.