Exploring the visual, phonological, and etymological connections between Arabic and Hebrew through innovative typographic design.
Our typographic approach examines the shared visual elements and structures between Arabic and Hebrew script systems, creating bridges between these Semitic writing traditions.
Both letters descend from Proto-Semitic 𐤁 (bēt) meaning "house" and share similar phonology (/b/ sound).
Both derived from Proto-Semitic 𐤃 (dālet) meaning "door" and represent the /d/ sound in their respective languages.
Both evolved from Proto-Semitic 𐤌 (mēm) meaning "water" and represent the /m/ sound.
Both derived from Proto-Semitic 𐤔 (šīn) meaning "tooth" and represent similar sibilant sounds.
Both evolved from Proto-Semitic 𐤏 (ʿayin) meaning "eye" and represent pharyngeal/guttural sounds.
Both derived from Proto-Semitic 𐤊 (kāp) meaning "palm of hand" and represent the /k/ sound.
The development of Arabic and Hebrew scripts shares common ancestral roots, evolving from Proto-Semitic through various historical transformations.
The earliest known alphabetic writing system, developed in the Sinai Peninsula, combined Egyptian hieroglyphs with Semitic languages.
Standardized form of linear consonantal alphabet that was the ancestor to both Hebrew and Arabic scripts, spreading throughout the Mediterranean.
The Hebrew script diverges from Phoenician, developing its own distinctive character shapes while maintaining the same letter order.
Becomes the dominant script in the Middle East, influencing the further development of both Hebrew and Arabic scripts.
The modern Hebrew script emerges from the Aramaic tradition, with the distinct square-like characters we recognize today.
Precursor to the Arabic script, develops from Aramaic and features early forms of the connected cursive style.
Arabic script is standardized after the rise of Islam, with the distinctive cursive connected form and diacritical marks.
From the Semitic root S-L-M (س-ل-م / ש-ל-ם) meaning "wholeness, completeness, peace." Both words appear in greetings and farewells in their respective cultures.
From the Semitic root B-Y-T (ب-ي-ت / ב-י-ת) meaning "dwelling, home." This root appears in many compound words and place names in both languages.
From the Semitic root K-T-B (ك-ت-ب / כ-ת-ב) meaning "to write." The Hebrew word refers to writing, while the Arabic word specifically means "book," both derived from the same concept.
From the Semitic root ʾ-R-Ḍ (أ-ر-ض / א-ר-ץ) meaning "earth, land, ground." Both words are used in similar contexts to refer to territories and the physical earth.
Arabic and Hebrew share systematic sound correspondences that reveal their historical relationship and evolution from Proto-Semitic.
The Arabic /s/ (س) often corresponds to Hebrew /sh/ (ש), reflecting a historical sound shift between the languages.
Both languages preserve various guttural and pharyngeal consonants that were present in Proto-Semitic, though modern Hebrew has lost some original pronunciations.
Arabic preserved the emphatic consonants of Proto-Semitic, while Hebrew merged some of these sounds with non-emphatic counterparts.
Creating harmonious Arabic-Hebrew typography requires a methodical approach that honors both traditions while exploring their connections.
Studying the historical and structural relationships between corresponding Arabic and Hebrew characters.
Identifying common geometric elements and stroke patterns between script pairs.
Creating transitional forms that bridge the gap between scripts while maintaining legibility.
Developing a coherent typographic system that allows scripts to coexist harmoniously.
Dive deeper into the connections between Arabic and Hebrew through our workshops, exhibitions, and linguistic resources.