Coptic Small Letter Gangia

Coptic gangia (ϫ) is usually read like English “j” in “jam.” Sahidic, a Coptic dialect, uses the “ch” sound in “church.” Scholars also transliterate it as j, ǧ, or č; reconstructions of its older sound point to a palatalized t, a t pronounced with the tongue raised toward the roof of the mouth.

How did gangia develop in Coptic writing?

Coptic adapted a Greek-based alphabet to write Egyptian. Old Coptic scripts, attested in the 1st and 2nd centuries CE, added Demotic-derived letters for sounds the Greek alphabet lacked. Demotic was an older Egyptian script. The texts include brief explanations, ritual and astrological works, and practical labels. Standard Coptic writing grew in prominence from the 4th century CE. The related Old Coptic forms Ⳗ and ⳗ are earlier forms of gangia.