Toward a Common Alphabet: There Is No Need for Menedzhment
Languages worldwide are increasingly converging toward the Latin alphabet, with English serving as the default global pidgin. The essay examines how various languages have responded to this trend through adaptation, modification, or resistance, each carrying different long-term costs. It argues that efforts to maintain linguistic purity offer no real benefit and that script reform does not inherently threaten cultural or linguistic integrity. The author explores historical cases and proposes conceptual frameworks without advocating for direct implementation.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Published April 29, 2026 | Version v1 Preprint Open Toward a Common Alphabet: Language Convergence, Script Reform, and the Latin Substrate Authors/Creators Toli, Ilia Description Languages are converging. The Latin alphabet is becoming the world's common script, English is the default pidgin, and the direction is clear. This essay looks at how different civilizations—Turkish, Greek, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Hebrew, French—have navigated or resisted this convergence, and what it cost them. It identifies three strategies: absorb loanwords as-is (zero cost), Latinize with local extensions (moderate cost), or resist and pay a compounding tax.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Zenodo.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Zenodo
