How did the Phoenicians contribute greatly to written communication?

The Phoenicians made a significant contribution to writing by developing the first alphabet. Other countries either borrowed or modified their own alphabet based on the Phoenician alphabet. Phoenician words can be seen in the writing of other groups of people. The Greeks, Romans, Egyptians and Hebrews all are examples of groups of people that have evidence of some Phoenician words in their writings.

The Phoenician alphabet consisted of 22 letters. There are no vowels. The Phoenician writing system is read from the right to the left. The same is true for Phoenician numerals.

The Phoenician writing system is evident in parts of the Old Testament. Since there were no other viable writing systems at the same, the Phoenician alphabet was used to transliterate the Old Testament.

The Phoenician alphabet and writing system was used as the basis of the writing system for many other groups of people.