Alphabet characters were the basis for hieroglyphic writings. The basic hieroglyph characters are refered to as the ALPHABET. They 'spell out' names or anything which can't be represented by other characters. The alphabet characters are read as the sound of the object they represented.

Although vowels were used in the spoken language, they were not usually written unless a word begins with a vowel or where it might be confusing if left out…like with names.

EXAMPLE

In english, words are often abbreviated by leaving out vowels. mtn = mountain blvd = boulevard When these abbreviations are read aloud, they are spoken using vowels.

The Hieroglyphic Alphabet

HIEROGLYPH	REPRESENTS	PRONOUNCED		HIEROGLYPH	REPRESENTS	PRONOUNCED
	vulture	ah (father)			reed	i (filled)
	two reeds	y (discovery)			arm & hand	broad a (car)
	quail chick	oo (too) or w (wet)			foot	b (boot)
	mat	p (pedestal)			horned viper	f (feel)
	owl	m (moon)			water	n (noon)
	mouth	r (right)			reed shelter	h (hat)
	twisted flax	h! (ha!)			placenta	kh (like Scotch 'loch')
	animal's belly	ch (like German 'ich')			folded cloth	s (saw)
	door bolt	s (saw)			pool	sh (show)
	slope of hill	k (key)			basket with handle	k (basket)
	jar stand	g (go)			loaf	t (tap)
	tethering rope	tj (church)			hand	d (dog)
	snake	dj (adjust)		You may notice that some hieroglyphs are vowel sounds, these are considered weak consonants and are used when a word begins with a vowel or where it might be confusing without them, like in a name.