Life of Και
![](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6731/1169/320/kai1.jpg)
![](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6731/1169/320/kai_logo1.gif)
This table, on the right, found in Lehmann's book* on Greek Shorthand shows the derivation of this symbol from an earlier 'S' shape shorthand kappa with an accent, called a varia, above it.
![](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6731/1169/320/01-Kai24.jpg)
![](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6731/1169/320/tachyK1.gif)
Back to Lehmann. He shows these modifications for the shorthand zigzag kappa with the different vowels. This is Greek syllabic shorthand and it is one of the things that I have most wanted to explore in writing system history but have put off since there is so little information available.
So, this little symbol for και could be called "kai - shorthand kappa with varia."
These images can be enlarged by clicking on them.
*Lehmann, Oskar. Die Tachygraphischen Abkurzungen Der Griechischen Handschriften. 1965. Georg Holms. Hildesheim.
**Thomson E.M. A handbook of Greek and Latin Palaeography.
Boge, Herbert. Griechische Tachygraphie und Tironische Noten. 1973. Akademie-Verlag. Berlin.
Addendum:
If you have noticed that the shorthand kappa looks like 'koppa' - it does. If you know why it looks like koppa, or have any suggestions about this, please comment. I don't know why the two look identical. The zigzag shape is identified by Lehmann and Thomson as shorthand kappa, but elsewhere I see it called koppa. Hmm.
If you are not familiar with koppa, then don't worry about it - or read this paper On Greek Letter Koppa by Michael Everson, which shows the various forms and functions of koppa. Very interesting.
2 Comments:
I just wanted to say I liked the title of this entry. :)
Paul
Thanks,
I need to spend more time looking on the light side.
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