Modern Hebrew is a Semitic language that evolved from ancient Hebrew, which was used in biblical texts. It became the official language of the State of Israel in 1948 and is spoken by millions of people today. Modern Hebrew incorporates elements from various languages, including Yiddish, Arabic, and English, reflecting the diverse influences on Israeli society. The language is written from right to left using the Hebrew alphabet, which consists of 22 consonants. Vowel sounds are indicated by a system of dots and dashes, though they are often omitted in everyday writing. Modern Hebrew is used in education, media, and daily communication in Israel.