is the letter (from home) J in the latin alphabet ?

[H.W.Fluks@telecom.tno.nl]

Nat Chrenshaw:

> http://www.du.edu/~etuttle/classics/latalph.htm

> The latin alphabet of 23 letters [..] The 
> letters J, U, and W of the modern alphabet were added in 
> medieval times, and did not appear in the classical alphabet, 
> except that J 
> and U could be alternative forms for I and V. 

> After reading a bit more on the site it seems like by writing 
> "medieval times" they mean somewhere around the 11th century, 
> which doesn't make it a bit less confusing... 
> Could somebody help clear this out...? 

What part is unclear?

The classic Latin alphabet had 23 letters. In writing, I could look like a J, and U could look like a V (depending on the habits and moods of the writers).

In the middle ages = medieval times = 11th century, the writers (who still wrote in a form of Latin) decided to use I and J for different purposes, and likewise U and V. And they decided to add W as a separate letter. So from then on they had 26 letters.

--Harry.

Harry Fluks  --  TNO Telecom  --  Delft  --   Nederland
h.w.fluks at telecom.tno.nl   --   http://dd50.inducks.org
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