| Hurûf-ı munfasıla | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Script type | |
| Creator | Enver Pasha |
Period | 1917–1918 |
| Languages | Ottoman Turkish |
| Related scripts | |
Parent systems | |
| This article containsphonetic transcriptions in theInternational Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). For an introductory guide on IPA symbols, seeHelp:IPA. For the distinction between[ ],/ / and ⟨ ⟩, seeIPA § Brackets and transcription delimiters. | |
Hurûf-ı munfasıla (Ottoman Turkish:حروف منفصله,lit. 'separate letters', alsohatt-ı cedîd,hatt-ı Enverî,Enver script,Enveriye,army alphabet orGerman script) is anOttoman Turkishwriting system created byEnver Pasha. Based on theArabic script, the system was created to simplify the spelling of Ottoman Turkish by more closely approximating itsphonetic structure.
In contrast with theimpure abjad system of Arabic used in theOttoman Turkish alphabet, hurûf-ı munfasıla ascribes distinct symbols to each vowel. The writing system also discards theinitial, medial, and final letter forms of the Ottoman Turkish alphabet, with only the isolated form of each letter being used. The system consists of a total of 45 characters, including 35 consonants and 10 vowels.
Enver Pasha prepared a book calledElifbâ (lit. 'alphabet') to teach this system in 1917.[citation needed] It is unknown whether the script was officially ended or abandoned.[1]
In hisautobiography,Ruşen Eşref Ünaydın conveyed the opinion ofMustafa Kemal Atatürk, who would later instate thereform of the Turkish alphabet, on this system in 1918 as follows:
This work, although done with good intentions, was done haphazardly and atan inappropriate time... Is the time of war a time to deal with letters? For what purpose? To facilitate communication? Hasn't this system made communication slower and more difficult compared to the old system? At a time when speed is crucial, what is the advantage of an endeavor that slows things down and confuses people's minds? But since you have started something, at least have the courage to do it properly.[2]