Cyrillic Script

Routledge Dictionary of Language and Linguistics

Writing system based on Greek uncial script, developed by the Greek-Orthodox Slavs, and incorrectly attributed to the Greek missionary to the Slavs, Kyrillos (ninth century) ( Glagolitic script).

Under Peter the Great, the Cyrillic script was simplified and adapted to approximate Latin script. Today the Cyrillic script is the basis for the following Slavic orthographic systems (Russian, Belorussian, Ukrainian, Serbian, Bulgarian, Macedonian); for a number of non-Slavic IndoEuropean languages (Moldavian, Kurdish, Ossete (Iranian), Tajikich ( Persian)); as well as a number of non-Indo-European languages of the former Soviet Union (e.g. Bashkirish, Tartar, Turkmenian, Usbeki ( Turkic) Uiguric).

writing