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Ekphonetic notation
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<p>Ekphonetic notation consists of symbols added to certain sacred texts, especially <a href="/facts/Lectionary/dsPDGTog">lectionary</a> readings of Biblical texts, as a <a href="/facts/Mnemonic/6HfDn0ks">mnemonic</a> device to assist in their <a href="/facts/Cantillation/3rAgI0I6">cantillation</a>. Ekphonetic notation can take a number of forms, and has been used in several <a href="/facts/Jewish/T9Y4wE6A">Jewish</a> and <a href="/facts/Christianity/nKyJHlqq">Christian</a> <a href="/facts/Plainchant/C1WHYKJp">plainchant</a> traditions, but is most commonly associated with <a href="/facts/Byzantine_chant/EJTNdIfT">Byzantine chant</a>. </p><p><a href="/facts/Joseph_Huzaya/hBx1PmSG">Joseph Huzaya</a> introduced ekphonetic notation into <a href="/facts/Syriac_language/mLhEtdSW">Syriac</a> in the early 6th century. </p><p>Ekphonetic notation ceased to be used about the fourteenth century. In many cases, the original meaning of ekphonetic <a href="/facts/Neume/h4TmmF5d">neumes</a> is obscure, and must be reconstructed by comparison with later notation. </p>