< Learn Assamese
Assamese language is written using the Assamese script. Assamese alphabet is divided into Sworobornomala (vowels) and Byonjonbornomala (consonants). This chapter deals with the Sworobornos or vowels.
Assamese language uses 11 symbols to represent vowels. Some of them pronounce the same. For example, উ and ঊ pronounce u. While, sometimes a single letter is used to represent more than one sounds. For example এ is used for ɛ (as in এক, which means one) and e (as in ধেৰ, which means a lot). ঐ and ঔ are considered to be syllables. ঋ is pronounced simply as ri.
Vowels and their pronunciations
| Vowel | IPA | Example of use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| অ | ɔ | অসম (Oxom=Assam) | |
| আ | a | আম (Aam=Mango) | |
| ই | ɪ | ইয়াত (Iyat=Here) | |
| ঈ | ɪ | ঈশান (Ixan=Shiva) | |
| উ | u | উত্তৰ (Uttor=Answer) | |
| ঊ | u | ঊষা (Uxa=A female name) | |
| ঋ | ɹi | ঋষি (Rixi=Sage) | |
| এ | ɛ | এক (Ek=One) | |
| ঐ | oɪ | ঐনিতম (Oinitom=A kind of dance) | |
| ও | ʊ | ওপং (Upong=Float) | |
| ঔ | ou | ঔষধ (Ouxodh=Medicine) | |
| অ' | o | -- | An Urdho Koma or Inverted Comma is added after অ to make it pronounce o. |
| এ' | e | -- | Some linguists suggest to add an inverted comma or urdho koma after এ to make it pronounce e. |
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