Bengali script notes

Bengali consonant, uŋɔ

ŋ or ŋɡ

Some speakers will pronounce a hard ɡ in a word like বাঙালী baŋɡali (Bengali), while others will either soften it or omit it.

Transcriptions: ISO 15919 ṅ; here ŋ

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] pp9, 10; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, ghɔ

ɡʰ

Transcriptions: ISO 15919 gh; here gh

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p42; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, khɔ

kʰ

Transcriptions: ISO 15919 kh; here kh

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] pp12-13; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, kɔ

k

Transcriptions: ISO 15919 k; here k

Conjuncts with unusual pronunciations:

ক্ষ kʂ, kʰ when initial, kːʰ in the middle of a word. Note: this conjunct is called khiyɔ and is often treated as a letter of the alphabet in that some dictionaries give it it's own section.

ক্ষ্ন kʂn, kkʰn

ক্ষ্ম kʂm, kkʰ

ক্ষ্য kʂy̌, kkʰ

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] pp16, 17, 32, 265-270; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, gɔ

ɡ

Transcriptions: ISO 15919 g; here g

Shape variants. When combined with ু the form গু is common in handwriting and older typefaces. The u can also be written below the consonant, especially in newspapers.

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] pp3,4; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, cɔ

c

Transcriptions: ISO 15919 c; here c

Conjuncts with unusual pronunciations:

চ্ছ্ব cchb, ccʰ

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] pp35, 265-270; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, chɔ

cʰ

Aspiration is stronger at the beginning of a word than in the middle or at the end.

s when pronounced by some people.

Transcriptions: ISO 15919 ch; here ch

Conjuncts with unusual pronunciations:

চ্ছ্ব cchb, ccʰ

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] pp19-20, 265-270; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, bôr͟gīyô jɔ বর্গীয় জ

ʤ

z In Bangladesh this can sound more like z, especially in words of Perso-Arabic origin, eg. নামাজ namaj, prayers, pronounced namaz.

Transcriptions: ISO 15919 j; here j

Unusual conjunct pronunciations:

জ্ঞ jñ, ɡ at the beginning of a word, eg. জ্ঞান jñan, knowledge, pronounced ɡæn, or ɡɡ between vowels, eg. বিজ্ঞান bijñan, science, pronounced biɡɡæn. (Note how it also changes a following a to æ.)

জ্জ্ব jjb, jj

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] pp 25, 26, 82, 265-270; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, jhɔ

ʤʰ

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 jh; here jh

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] pp 38; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, niyô / iyô

n It is pronounced the same as nɔ.

Its use independently, in words like গাঞি, is very rare.

Usually only used in conjuncts such as ñc, ñj, ñjh, jñ, etc. It is also used independently in words like গাঞি, though that is very rare ⁴.

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 ñ; here ñ

Unusual conjunct pronunciations:

জ্ঞ jñ, ɡ at the beginning of a word, eg. জ্ঞান jñan, knowledge, pronounced ɡæn, or ɡɡ between vowels, eg. বিজ্ঞান bijñan, science, pronounced biɡɡæn. (Note how it also changes a following a to æ.)

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] pp 44, 82; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script; [4] Correspondance [Bhattacharya]

Bengali consonant, ʈɔ

ʈ

Note that Bengali retroflex consonants do not involve the tongue being curled around or pointed vertically upwards, as in other Indic languages. The tip of the tongue is touched against the alveolar ridge.

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 ṭ; here ʈ

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p 23; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, ʈhɔ

ʈʰ

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 ṭh; here ʈh

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p38; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, ɖɔ

[ɖ]

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 ḍ; here ɖ

With nukta. [ɽ] with 09BC BENGALI SIGN NUKTA ড় is a retroflex flap. Curl tongue as if for [ɖ] but before making contact with the alveolar ridge flap the tongue down smartly to make audible contact with the bottom of the mouth.

In Sanskrit this was merely an allophone of ড between vowels. The distinguishing dot was added to the Bengali script in the 19th century. Now it is regarded as a letter of the alphabet.

The precomposed character 09DC BENGALI LETTER RRA is equivalent to this decomposed sequence, but the decomposed sequence is produced by NFC, so should be used in preference.

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 ṛ; here ɽ

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Wikipedia: Bengali Script; [3] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p28, 29

Bengali consonant, ɖhɔ ɖh

ɖʰ

Rather uncommon, even though it is used in the name of the Bangladeshi capital, ঢাকা ɖhaka ɖʱaka, and some other quite common words⁴.

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 ḍh; here ɖh

With nukta. ɽ or ɽh with 09BC BENGALI SIGN NUKTA ঢ়. Theoretically this is the aspirated version of ɽɔ, but in practice not normally pronounced with aspiration, although it occasionally may be, as in রাঢ়. A very rare letter, the only common word in which it appears is the Bengali month আষাঢ় aʂaɽh, (June-July).

The precomposed character 09DD BENGALI LETTER RHA is equivalent to this decomposed sequence, but the decomposed sequence is produced by NFC, and so should be used in preference.

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 ṛh; here ɽh

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] pp38, 39; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script; [4] Correspondance [Bhattacharya]

Bengali consonant, mūr͟dhôn͟yô ɳɔ মূর্ধন্য ণ

n This is pronounced exactly the same as dɔn͟t͟yô nɔ.

Transcriptions: ISO 15919 ṇ; here ɳ

Unusual conjunct pronunciations:

হ্ণ hɳ, nh or nn

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p32; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, tɔ t

t The tongue is further forward than the English t.

Transcriptions: ISO 15919 t; here t

Unusual conjunct pronunciations:

ত্ম tm, tː

ত্ব tb, tː

ত্ম্য tmy̌, tː

স্ত্য sty̌, stː

Special vowel combinations: The syllable ntu can be written in modern typefaces with the u below the n͟t conjunct, but in older print a special arrangement incorporates all three sounds together, eg. কিন্তু kin͟tu, but.

The combination tru is represented by ত্রু.

Khanda ta In some words a tɔ that has no following inherent or other vowel may have a shape like ৎ. It is called খণ্ড ত khɔɳ͟ɖô tɔ. It either comes at the end of words, eg. হঠাৎ hɔʈhaṯ (suddenly), or before a consonant that doesn't naturally combine with tɔ, eg. উৎসব uṯsɔb (festival). Many such words, however, use ত. It's not possible to say which will be used.

Unicode 4.1 added a separate character for khɔɳɖȏ tɔ, 09CE BENGALI LETTER KHANDA TA, which should be used when this shape is needed. (This replaces a previous approach that required the use of 09A4: BENGALI LETTER TA + 09CD: BENGALI SIGN VIRAMA + 200D: ZERO WIDTH JOINER.)

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] pp23, 39; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, thɔ

tʰ

When the English sound 'th' as in 'thin' is transliterated into Bengali, this is the sound that is used.

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 th; here th

Unusual conjunct pronunciations:

থ্ব thb, ttʰ

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] pp28, 265-270; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, dɔ

d Produced with the teeth firmly against the top front teeth.

When the English sound 'th' as in 'then' is transliterated into Bengali, this is the sound that is used.

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 d; here d

Unusual conjunct pronunciations.

দ্ম dm, dd

দ্ব db, dd

দ্ব্য dby̌, dd

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] pp9,10, 265-270; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, dhɔ

dʰ

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 dh; here dh

Unusual conjunct pronunciations.

ধ্ব dhb, ddʰ

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] pp42, 265-270; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, dɔn͟t͟yô nɔ দন্ত্য ন

n

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 n; here n

Special vowel combinations. The syllable ntu can be written in modern typefaces with the u below the n͟t conjunct, but in older print a special arrangement incorporates all three sounds together, eg. কিন্তু kin͟tu (but).

Unusual conjunct pronunciations.

হ্ণ hɳ, nh or nn

হ্ন hn, nh or nn

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] pp3, 4, 265-270; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, pɔ

p

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 p; here p

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p31; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, phɔ

pf or pʰ or f

Some pronounce as pʰ with aspiration, but many (especially in Bangladesh) pronounce more like f. In West Bengal it is more like the pf in the German 'pfennig', and this is a fairly standard rendering.

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 ph; here ph

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p28; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, bɔ

b when not in a conjunct. Comes from the Sanskrit 'v', eg. বিষ্ণু biʂ͟ɳu, Vishnu.

Called bɔ phɔla ব-ফলা in conjuncts.

∅ in word initial in a conjunct, eg. স্বামী s͟vamī, husband, pronounced ʃamiː; জ্বর j͟vɔr, fever, pronounced ʤɔr.

Lengthens consonants in conjuncts between vowels, eg. বিশ্ব biʃ͟vô, universe, pronounced biʃʃo.

b sometimes in ম্ব conjuncts in words of English or Sanskrit origin, eg. নম্বর nɔm͟bôr, number, pronounced nɔmbor. By contrast, the Bengali word সম্বন্ধে sɔmbɔndhe about is still pronounced sɔmmɔndʰe.

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 b; here b or v

Unusual conjunct pronunciations.

চ্ছ্ব cchb, ccʰ

জ্জ্ব jjb, jj

ত্ব tb, tt

থ্ব thb, ttʰ

দ্ব db, dd

দ্ব্য dby̌, dd

ধ্ব dhb, ddʰ

ম্ব mb, mm or mb

শ্ব ʃb, ʃʃ

হ্ব hb, don't quite understand this - seems to be 'v'

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] pp3, 4, 26, 249, 265-270; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, bhɔ

bʰ

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 bh; here bh

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p35; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, mɔ

m

Lengthens consonants as the final letter in a conjunct.

mh or mm in the conjunct হ্ম hm.

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 m; here m

Unusual conjunct pronunciations.

ক্ষ্ম kʂm, kkʰ

ত্ম tm, tt

ত্ম্য tmy̌, tt

দ্ম dm, dd

ম্ব mb, mm or mb

ল্ম lm, ll

শ্ম ʃm, ʃʃ

ষ্ম ʂm, ʃʃ

স্ম sm, ʃʃ with perhaps some nasalisation of the preceding vowel, eg. ভস্ম, bʰɔ̃ʃʃo; or with a vocalic r vowel sign s, eg. স্মৃতি, sriti

হ্ম hm, mh or mm

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] pp3, 4, 265-270; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, ɔn͟tɔḥs͟thô y̌ɔ অন্তঃস্থ য

ʤ at the beginning of a word. In Bangladesh this can sound more like z, especially in words of Perso-Arabic origin.

When it occurs as the last member of a consonant cluster it has a special shape , and is called y̌ɔ-phɔla য-ফলা.

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 y; here y̌

Conjunct pronunciations.

• Lengthens consonants when non-initial in a cluster, eg. জন্য jôny̌ô, pronounced ʤonno.
• æ when followed by the vowel sign a-kar, eg. হ্যাঁ h͟yæ̃ (yes), pronounced hæ̃; ব্যাঙ্ক b͟yæŋ͟k (bank), pronounced bæŋk. There are exceptions to the previous rule, when the a-kar produces its normal value, eg. ব্যাখ্যা b͟yækh͟ya (explanation); another exception would be a word like সন্ধ্যা sôn͟dhya (evening).
• æ when there is no vowel sign and the following syllable is not i, eg. ব্যথা b͟ytha (pain), pronounced bætʰa.
• e when there is no vowel sign and the following syllable is i, eg. ব্যক্তি b͟yk͟ti (pain), pronounced bekti.

Unusual conjunct pronunciations.

ক্ষ্য kʂy̌, kkʰ

ত্ম্য tmy̌, tt

দ্ব্য dby̌, dd

স্ত্য sty̌, stt

হ্য hy̌, jj

Conjuncts formed with y̌ɔ-phɔla are unusual because the y̌ɔ-phɔla is reduced but not the preceding base, eg. ক + য = ক্য. This is the default form when y̌ɔ-phɔla follows 09CD BENGALI SIGN VIRAMA.

An exception to the rule for shaping of y̌ɔ-phɔla can occur when rɔ is the first letter in the conjunct. This combination is typically rendered using the reph and a full ɔn͟tɔḥs͟thô y̌ɔ, ie. র্য, but may be rendered using the ordinary y̌ɔ-phɔla form after a full form rɔ, ie.

র + য = র্য or র‌্য

Unicode 4.01 clarified how to address this. Use 200C: ZERO WIDTH NON-JOINER to consistently produce the desired form, as shown below:

র + virama + য = র্য

র + zwnj + virama + য = র‌্য

y̌ɔ-phɔla can also be used after independent vowels though this doesn't appear to be common.

With nukta. When followed by a 09BC BENGALI SIGN NUKTA য় this becomes ɔn͟tɔḥs͟thô ɔ অন্তঃস্থ য় and is used for the semi-vowel.

j between i...e, a...u, or e...e.

e after another vowel, particularly after ɔ, a or o, eg. ভয় bʰɔe (fear).

w (light, like French 'oui') between o...a , eg. খওরা kʰaowa (to eat, drink).

Sometimes it is scarcely pronounced at all, eg. মেরে mee (girl, woman).

The dot was added in the 19th century, to contrast this with ɔn͟tɔḥs͟thô y̌ɔ.

The precomposed character 09DF BENGALI LETTER YYA is equivalent to this decomposed sequence, but the decomposed sequence is produced by NFC, so should be used in preference.

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 ẏ; here y

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] pp13, 25-26, 265-270; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, rɔ

r Rolled, but at the end of a word in particular the tongue only flaps once or twice.

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 r; here r

Conjunct appearance. When it occurs as the second element in a conjunct it is typically written as a wavy horizontal line, eg. ব + র = ব্র. This mark is called rɔ-phɔla র-ফলা.

When it occurs as the first element in a conjunct it is typically written as a diagonal stroke above the consonant that follows it, eg. র + য = র্য. This mark is called reph রেফ.

Unusual vowel combinations. To avoid clashing with the dot, the vowel sign for u appears to the side when attached to rɔ, ie. রু. Similarly, the vowel sign for ū appears to the side when attached to rɔ, ie. রূ.

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] pp3, 4, 33, 265-270; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, lɔ

l Never a dark l.

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 l; here l

Unusual conjunct pronunciations.

ল্ম lm, ll

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] pp3, 4, 265-270; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, talôb͟yô ʃɔ তালব্য শ

ʃ

s possible in Bangladesh, or in English words that use the sound s.

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 ś; here ʃ

Unusual conjunct pronunciations.

শ্ম ʃm, ʃʃ

শ্র ʃr, sr

শ্ব ʃb, ʃʃ

Unusual vowel combinations. When combining শ with u the form শু is common in handwriting and older typefaces. The u can also be written below the consonant, especially in newspapers.

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] pp9,10, 265-270; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, mūr͟dhn͟yô ʂɔ মূর্ধন্য ষ

ʃ

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 ṣ; here ʂ

Unusual conjunct pronunciations.

ক্ষ kʂ, kkʰ

ক্ষ্ন kʂn, kkʰn

ক্ষ্ম kʂm, kkʰ

ক্ষ্য kʂy̌, kkʰ

ষ্ম ʂm, ʃʃ

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] pp9,10, 265-270; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, dɔn͟tyô sɔ দন্ত্য স s

ʃ

s possible in Bangladesh, or in English words that use the sound s.

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 s; here s

Conjunct pronunciations. Typically pronounced s in the following conjuncts:

স্ত st, st

স্থ sth, stʰ

স্ন sn, sn

স্ত্র str, str

স্ম sm, ʃʃ may involve some nasalisation of the preceding vowel, eg. ভস্ম, bʰɔ̃ʃʃo; but s when this conjunct is followed by a vocalic r vowel sign , eg. স্মৃতি, sriti, memory.

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] pp9,10, 265-270; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, hɔ

h

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 h; here h

Unusual conjunct pronunciations.

হ্ণ hɳ, nh or nn

হ্ন hn, nh or nn

হ্ম hm, mh or mm

হ্য hy̌, jj

হ্ব hb, hu or ho or hb, depending on the speaker.

Shape variants. hṛ traditionally looks like হৃ, although modern computer typefaces tend to put the normal vowel sign under the consonant.

Also, hu traditionally looks like হু.

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p25; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script; [4] Corrrespondance [Bhattacharya]

Bengali consonant, khɔɳɖȏ tɔ খণ্ড ত্‌

t The tongue is further forward than the English t.

This is a variant form of ত that was added to Unicode 4.1 as a separate character and should be used when this shape is needed. (This replaces a previous approach that required the use of 09A4: BENGALI LETTER TA + 09CD: BENGALI SIGN VIRAMA + 200D: ZERO WIDTH JOINER.)

In some words a tɔ that has no following inherent or other vowel may have this shape. It either comes at the end of words, eg. হঠাৎ hɔʈhaṯ (suddenly), or before a consonant that doesn't naturally combine with tɔ, eg. উৎসব uṯsɔb (festival) or সৎমা sɔṯma (step-mother). Many such words, however, use ত, eg. সদাত্মা. It's not possible to say which will be used.

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 t; here ṯ

Notes. Refs: [1] The Unicode Standard 5.2 p281; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p39; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script; [4] Correspondence [Bhattacharya]

Bengali independent vowel, ɔ-kar

ɔ

o where the vowel harmony effect applies, if the vowel in the following syllable is one of i or u.

Transcriptions, ISO 15919 a; here ɔ

See also 09BE BENGALI VOWEL SIGN AA.

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p400; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] pp9, 275; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali independent vowel, a-kar

ɑ

Transcriptions, ISO 15919 a; here ā

See also 09BE BENGALI VOWEL SIGN AA.

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p2-4; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali independent vowel, h͟rɔs͟vô i হ্রস্ব ই

i

e where the vowel harmony effect applies, if the vowel in the following syllable is one of ɔ o e or a.

Transcriptions, ISO 15919 i; here i

See also 09BF BENGALI VOWEL SIGN I.

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p2, 4-5; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali independent vowel, dīr͟ghô ī দীর্ঘ ঈ

i

Bengali has lost the distinction between short and long i vowels in pronunciation, but retains the difference in spelling.

Transcriptions, ISO 15919 ī; here ī

See also 09C0 BENGALI VOWEL SIGN II.

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p2, 4-5; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali independent vowel, h͟rɔs͟vô u হ্রস্ব উ

u pronounced with the lips very rounded.

o where the vowel harmony effect applies, if the vowel in the following syllable is one of ɔ o e a.

Transcriptions, ISO 15919 u; here u

See also 09C1 BENGALI VOWEL SIGN U.

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p2, 5, 11, 275; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali independent vowel, dīr͟ghô ū দীর্ঘ ঊ

u pronounced with the lips very rounded.

Bengali has lost the distinction between short and long u vowels in pronunciation, but retains the difference in spelling.

Transcriptions, ISO 15919 ū; here ū

See also 09C2 BENGALI VOWEL SIGN UU.

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p2, 5, 11, 275; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali independent vowel, vocalic r

ri pronounced with the lips very rounded.

Transcriptions, ISO 15919 r̥; here ṛ

See also 09C3 BENGALI VOWEL SIGN VOCALIC R.

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p41; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali indepent vowel, oǔ-kar

ow diphthong.

Transcriptions, ISO 15919 au; here oǔ

See also 09CC BENGALI VOWEL SIGN AU.

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p17; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali indepent vowel, e-kar

e.

æ in common words such as কেন kænô (why) or কেমন kæmôn (how), and certain verb forms. Some speakers in Bangladesh may not clearly distinguish between the æ and e, but they do know which is appropriate if asked.

e where the vowel harmony effect applies, if the vowel in the following syllable is one of i u.

æ where the vowel harmony effect applies, if the vowel in the following syllable is one of ɔ o e a.

Transcriptions, ISO 15919 e; here e or æ

See also 09C7 BENGALI VOWEL SIGN E.

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p12-13, 16-17; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali indepent vowel, oǐ-kar

oj diphthong.

Transcriptions, ISO 15919 ai; here oǐ

See also 09C8 BENGALI VOWEL SIGN AI .

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p35; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali indepent vowel, o-kar

o pronounced with the lips very rounded.

u where the vowel harmony effect applies, if the vowel in the following syllable is one of i u.

ɔ if the vowel in the following syllable is one of ɔ o e a.

Inconsistent spellings sometimes arise with this letter due to the sound o being also an inherent vowel sound.

Transcriptions, ISO 15919 o; here o

See also 09CB: BENGALI VOWEL SIGN O.

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p8, 10, 275; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali vowel sign, dīr͟ghô ī

ī

Bengali has lost the distinction between short and long i vowels in pronunciation, but retains the difference in spelling.

Transcriptions, ISO 15919 ī; here ī

See also 0988 BENGALI LETTER II.

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p2, 4-5; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali vowel sign, h͟rɔs͟vô i

i

e where the vowel harmony effect applies, if the vowel in the following syllable is one of ɔ o e or a.

This vowel sign appears to the left of the base consonant.

Transcriptions, ISO 15919 i; here i

See also 0987 BENGALI LETTER I.

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p2, 4-5; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali vowel sign, a-kar

ɑ

æ after জ্ঞ jñ, eg. জ্ঞান jñan (knowledge), pronounced ɡæn; বিজ্ঞান bijñan ( science), pronounced biɡɡæn.

æ when following y̌ɔ-phɔla, eg. হ্যাঁ h͟yæ̃ (yes), pronounced hæ̃; ব্যাঙ্ক b͟yæŋ͟k (bank), pronounced bæŋk.

There are exceptions to the previous rule, when the a-kar produces its normal value, eg. ব্যাখ্যা b͟yækh͟ya (explanation); another exception would be a word like সন্ধ্যা sôn͟dhya (evening).

Transcriptions, ISO 15919 ā; here a

See also 0986 BENGALI LETTER AA.

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p2-4, 26, 82; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali vowel sign, h͟rɔs͟vô u

u pronounced with the lips very rounded.

o where the vowel harmony effect applies, if the vowel in the following syllable is one of ɔ o e a.

Transcriptions, ISO 15919 u; here u

Shape variants. To avoid clashing with the dot, this vowel sign appears to the side when attached to rɔ, ie. রু.

When combining with শ 09B6 BENGALI LETTER SHA the form শু is common in handwriting and older typefaces. The h͟rɔs͟vô u can also be written below the consonant, especially in newspapers. A similar phenomenon occurs with the letter গ 0997 BENGALI LETTER GA, ie. গু.

Also, hu traditionally looks like হু.

See also 0989 BENGALI LETTER U.

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p2, 5, 6, 275; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali vowel sign, dīr͟ghô ū

u pronounced with the lips very rounded.

Bengali has lost the distinction between short and long u vowels in pronunciation, but retains the difference in spelling.

Transcriptions, ISO 15919 ū; here ū

Shape variants. To avoid clashing with the dot, this vowel sign appears to the side when attached to rɔ, ie. রূ.

See also 098A BENGALI LETTER UU.

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p2, 5, 11, 275; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali vowel sign, vocalic r

ri pronounced with the lips very rounded.

Transcriptions, ISO 15919 r̥; here ṛ

Shape variants. The vowel sign is attached to the bottom of the consonant, but some computer typefaces position it slightly to the right.

hṛ traditionally looks like হৃ, although modern computer typefaces tend to put the normal vowel sign under the consonant.

See also 098B BENGALI LETTER VOCALIC R.

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p41; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali vowel sign, e-kar

e.

e where the vowel harmony effect applies, if the vowel in the following syllable is one of i u.

æ where the vowel harmony effect applies, if the vowel in the following syllable is one of ɔ o e a.

The pronounciation æ is generally used in common words such as কেন kænô (why) or কেমন kæmôn (how), and certain verb forms. Some speakers in Bangladesh may not clearly distinguish between the æ and e, but they do know which is appropriate if asked.

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 e; here e

Shape variants. In high quality printing the horizontal line may be omitted at the beginning of a word.

This vowel sign is written before its base.

See also 098F BENGALI LETTER E.

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p12-13, 16-17; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali vowel sign, oǐ-kar

oj diphthong.

Note that the sound can also be represented by the inherent vowel plus h͟rɔs͟vô i, eg. বই bôi (book). The combination of o-kar plus h͟rɔs͟vô i can also occur, eg. ওই oi (demonstrative).

This vowel sign is written before its base.

Transcriptions, ISO 15919 ai; here oǐ

See also 0990 BENGALI LETTER AI.

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p35; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali indepent vowel, oǔ-kar

ow diphthong.

Transcriptions, ISO 15919 au; here oǔ

Alternative code points. The vowel sign appears on both sides of the base. The vowel sign can also be represented in Unicode by 09C7 BENGALI VOWEL SIGN E + 09D7 BENGALI AU LENGTH MARK, but this is for compatibility with encodings that represent the vowel in this way. Normally you should not use that approach.

See also 0994 BENGALI LETTER AU.

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p17; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali vowel sign, o-kar

o pronounced with the lips very rounded.

u where the vowel harmony effect applies, if the vowel in the following syllable is one of i u.

ɔ if the vowel in the following syllable is one of ɔ o e a.

Inconsistent spellings sometimes arise with this letter due to the sound o being also an inherent vowel sound.

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 o; here o

Alternative code points. The vowel sign appears on both sides of the base. The vowel sign can also be represented in Unicode by 09C7 BENGALI VOWEL SIGN E + 09BE BENGALI VOWEL SIGN AA, but this is for compatibility with encodings that represent the vowel in this way. Normally you should not use that approach.

See also 0993 BENGALI LETTER O.

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p8, 10, 275; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, ônus͟var অনুস্বার or ônus͟vôr অনুস্বর

ŋ, eg. বাংলা baɱla baŋla (Bengali [language]).

Never has a vowel sign.

Sometimes spelling is inconsistent, especially when this or ঙ are used in a conjunct, eg. সাঙঘাতিক or সাংঘাতিক (terrible, tremendous); রঙ or রং (colour).

In certain words the spelling is fixed, however. বাংলা is one such word. However, since this cannot support vowel signs, the word for Bengali nation (rather than language) has to be spelled with ঙ, ie. বাঙালী baŋalī.

In the sequence of characters, this should occur after any combining vowel sign associated with the same syllable.

Transcriptions, ISO 15919 ṃ; here ɱ

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p13-14; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, cɔn͟drôbin͟du চন্দ্রবিন্দু

Vowel nasalisation marker. This appears over the top of an independent vowel, but over the basic consonant when a vowel sign is attached, not over the vowel sign.

In the sequence of characters, this should occur after any combining vowel sign associated with the same syllable.

cɔn͟drôbin͟du means moon dot.

Transcriptions, ISO 15919 ṃ; here ~

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p19-20; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, bisɔr͟gô বিসর্গ

This sign has two different effects:

• নিঃশব্দ niʃʃɔbdô, here the bisɔr͟gô lengthens the following consonant. There is no aspiration.
• বাঃ baːɦ (left), here it is pronounced with vigorous final aspiration.

The only common colloquial words containing this sign are বাঃ baːɦ (left) and দুঃখ dukkʰô (sorrow).

In the sequence of characters, this should occur after any combining vowel sign associated with the same syllable.

Transcriptions, ISO 15919 ḥ; here ḥ

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p255; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali mark, nukta

For extending the alphabet to create more characters.

In the sequence of characters in a syllable, this comes before any combining vowel sign.

Bengali mark, viram বিসর্গ

Used between two consonants in a conjunct, in which case it is usually invisible, but sometimes not. Where not, it is usually because the font doesn't have a particular conjunct ligature, but it may also be visible in places where the phonology is unusual, eg. ফ্‌ল্যাট (flat); লান্‌চ (lunch) (though these may also be spelled with conjuncts, eg. ফ্ল্যাট). It is also quite common to see উদ্‌যাপন to distinguish it from words like উদ্যান. These words are etymologically related, but distinct phonetically.

This character should always be positioned before any combining vowel mark in memory.

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p95; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script; [4] Correspondence [Bhattacharya]

Bengali punctuation

Sentence-final punctuation, common to several indic scripts.

Bengali punctuation

Marks boundaries of text above the sentence level, common to several indic scripts.

Bengali digit, sɪfar

Bengali digit, æk

Bengali digit, dui

Bengali digit, tin

Bengali digit, car

Bengali digit, pãc

Bengali digit, chɔy

Bengali digit, sat

Bengali digit, aʈ

Bengali digit, nɔy

Bengali currency symbol

Denotes rupees in the Bengali notation for currency used up to 1957, eg. ১৲ 1 rupayā (1 rupee). For a detailed explanation of usage, see reference ¹.

Notes. Refs: [1] Proposal to Encode the Ganda Currency Mark for Bengali

Bengali symbol

Placed before a dead person's name.

Notes. Refs: [1] Correspondence [Bhattacharya]

Bengali currency symbol

Part of an additive/subtractive system for specifying the number of ānā in the Bengali notation for currency used up to 1957, eg. ৷৷৴৹ 9 ānā (9 ana); ৸৴৹ 13 ānā (13 ana). There are 16 ana in one rupee, and the system works in multiples of 4. For a detailed explanation of usage, see reference ¹.

Notes. Refs: [1] Proposal to Encode the Ganda Currency Mark for Bengali

Bengali currency symbol

Part of an additive/subtractive system for specifying the number of ānā in the Bengali notation for currency used up to 1957, eg. ৷৵৹ 6 ānā (6 ana); ৸৵৹ 14 ānā (14 ana). There are 16 ana in one rupee, and the system works in multiples of 4. For a detailed explanation of usage, see reference ¹.

Notes. Refs: [1] Proposal to Encode the Ganda Currency Mark for Bengali

Bengali currency symbol

Part of an additive/subtractive system for specifying the number of ānā in the Bengali notation for currency used up to 1957, eg. ৷৷৶৹ 11 ānā (11 ana); ৸৶৹ 15 ānā (15 ana). There are 16 ana in one rupee, and the system works in multiples of 4. For a detailed explanation of usage, see reference ¹.

Notes. Refs: [1] Proposal to Encode the Ganda Currency Mark for Bengali

Bengali currency symbol

Part of an additive/subtractive system for specifying the number of ānā in the Bengali notation for currency used up to 1957, eg. ৷৹ 4 ānā (4 ana); ৷৷৴৹ 9 ānā (9 ana). There are 16 ana in one rupee, and the system works in multiples of 4. For a detailed explanation of usage, see reference ¹.

Notes. Refs: [1] Proposal to Encode the Ganda Currency Mark for Bengali

Bengali currency symbol

Part of an additive/subtractive system for specifying the number of ānā in the Bengali notation for currency used up to 1957, eg. ৸৹ 12 ānā (12 ana); ৸৵৹ 14 ānā (14 ana). There are 16 ana in one rupee, and the system works in multiples of 4. For a detailed explanation of usage, see reference ¹.

Notes. Refs: [1] Proposal to Encode the Ganda Currency Mark for Bengali

Bengali currency symbol

Part of an additive/subtractive system for specifying the number of ānā in the Bengali notation for currency used up to 1957, eg. ৴৹ 1 ānā (1 ana); ৸৶৹ 15 ānā (15 ana). There are 16 ana in one rupee, and the system works in multiples of 4. For a detailed explanation of usage, see reference ¹.

Notes. Refs: [1] Proposal to Encode the Ganda Currency Mark for Bengali

Bengali consonant

Assamese version of Bengali 09B0 BENGALI LETTER RA. Not used in Bengali.

Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant

Assamese version of Bengali 09AC BENGALI LETTER BA. Not used in Bengali.

Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali mark, length mark

Should not be used. Provided for compatibility with character sets that represent ৌ 09CC BENGALI VOWEL SIGN AU as two characters.

Notes. Refs: [1] The Unicode Standard 5.2 p313

Bengali consonant, ɽɔ

It is recommended that you use the NFC form of this letter, which is the decomposed sequence 09A1 BENGALI LETTER DDA + 09BC BENGALI SIGN NUKTA.

ɽ retroflex flap. Curl tongue as if for ɖ but before making contact with the alveolar ridge flap the tongue down smartly to make audible contact with the bottom of the mouth.

In Sanskrit this was merely an allophone of ড between vowels. The distinguishing dot was added to the Bengali script in the 19th century.

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 ṛ; here ɽ

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p29; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali consonant, ɽhɔ

It is recommended that you use the NFC form of this letter, which is the decomposed sequence 09A2 BENGALI LETTER DDHA + 09BC BENGALI SIGN NUKTA.

ɽ

Theoretically the aspirated version of ɽɔ, but in practice not normally pronounced with aspiration, although it occasionally may be, as in রাঢ়. A very rare letter, the only common word in which it appears is the Bengali month আষাঢ় aʂaɽh (June-July).

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 ṛh; here ɽh

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p39; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script; [4] Correspondence [Bhattacharya]

Bengali consonant, ɔn͟tɔḥs͟thô ɔ অন্তঃস্থ য়

It is recommended that you use the NFC form of this letter, which is the decomposed sequence 09AF BENGALI LETTER YA + 09BC BENGALI SIGN NUKTA.

This is used for the semi-vowel.

j between i...e, a...u, or e...e.

e after another vowel, particularly after ɔ, a or o, eg. ভয় bʰɔe (fear).

w (light, like French 'oui') between o...a , eg. খওরা kʰaowa (to eat, drink).

Sometimes it is scarcely pronounced at all, eg. মেরে mee (girl, woman).

The dot was added in the 19th century, to contrast this with 09AF: BENGALI LETTER YA য.

Transcriptions. ISO 15919 ẏ; here y

Notes. Refs: [1] The World's Writing Systems [Daniels] p399-402; [2] Teach Yourself Bengali [Radice] p13, 26; [3] Wikipedia: Bengali Script

Bengali vocalic

Historic characters, only used to write Sanskrit in Bengali.

Notes. Refs: [1] Unicode Standard 5.2 p279

Bengali vocalic

Historic characters, only used to write Sanskrit in Bengali.

Notes. Refs: [1] Unicode Standard 5.2 p279

Bengali vocalic

Historic characters, only used to write Sanskrit in Bengali.

Notes. Refs: [1] Unicode Standard 5.2 p279

Bengali vocalic

Historic characters, only used to write Sanskrit in Bengali.

Notes. Refs: [1] Unicode Standard 5.2 p279

Bengali vocalic

Historic characters, only used to write Sanskrit in Bengali.

Notes. Refs: [1] Unicode Standard 5.2 p279

Bengali vocalic

Historic characters, only used to write Sanskrit in Bengali.

Notes. Refs: [1] Unicode Standard 5.2 p279