In the earliest version of the Armenian alphabet, “ayp” (A) was two vertical lines connected at the base, and a tail. Later a new “ayp”, resembling the tines of a fork, was introduced. Ayp ehoes the Greek alpha and Aramaic aleph.
The transformation of alpha/aleph into ayp occurred as a result of the distinct phonetic characteristics of the Armenian language.
Ayp is the most frequently used letter in the alphabet. It occurs at the beginning or the middle of words and rarely at the end. It is considered the symbol of God. The words Asdvadz (God) and Ararich (Creator) begin with ayp.
By Jirair Tutunjian keghart.org
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