Hebrew language

==Writing system==<!-- This section is linked from [[Universal Character Set]] -->
{{Main|Hebrew alphabet|Hebrew braille}}
[[File:Frank-ruehl.png|thumb|[[Hebrew alphabet]]]]

Users of the language write Modern Hebrew from [[Right-to-left |right to left]] using the [[Hebrew alphabet]] – an "impure" [[abjad]], or consonant-only script, of 22 letters. The ancient [[paleo-Hebrew alphabet]] resembles those used for [[Canaanite language|Canaanite]] and [[Phoenician language|Phoenician]].{{citation needed|date= April 2015}} Modern scripts derive from the "square" letter form, known as ''Ashurit'' (Assyrian), which developed from the [[Aramaic script]]. A [[cursive Hebrew]] script is used in handwriting: the letters tend to appear more circular in form when written in cursive, and sometimes vary markedly from their printed equivalents. The medieval version of the cursive script forms the basis of another style, known as [[Rashi script]]. When necessary, vowels are indicated by [[Hebrew diacritics|diacritic]] marks above or below the letter representing the syllabic onset, or by use of ''[[matres lectionis]]'', which are consonantal letters used as vowels. Further diacritics may serve to indicate variations in the pronunciation of the consonants (e.g. ''bet''/''vet'', ''shin''/''sin''); and, in some contexts, to indicate the punctuation, accentuation and musical rendition of Biblical texts (see [[Hebrew cantillation]]).