Definition: A writing system in which consonant signs are almost always followed by a vowel sign. Note: This is in contrast to abjad writing systems, which are alphabets with no vowel letters. About half the writing systems in the world are abugidas. An inscription of Swampy Cree using Canadian Aboriginal Syllabics, an abugida developed by Christian missionaries for Aboriginal Canadian languages (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Etymology: The words abjad and abugida were coined by linguist Peter Daniels, coeditor (with William Bright) of The World's Writing Systems (1996), the book which introduced the terms.

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