matres lectionis
orthography
Quick Summary
Matres lectionis are specific letters in Hebrew—aleph (א), he (ה), vav (ו), and yod (י)—that were used in an originally consonantal writing system to indicate vowel sounds. The term, which is Latin for "mother of reading," highlights their function in helping readers accurately pronounce words. These letters assist in conveying vocalization, making the reading process more precise. The plural form is matres lectionis.12
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