http://guca.sourceforge.net/resources/introductiontogurmukhi/index.shtmlAn Introduction to Gurmukhi
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Gurmukhi, a derivative of Landa, is a type of script called an abugida. It was standardised by Guru Angad Dev in the sixteenth century and is designed to write the Punjabi language.
This guide introduces the main concepts of the Gurmukhi script in relation to the Punjabi language. Gurmukhi has been adapted to write other languages (such as Sanskrit) but these adaptations will generally not be covered.
The Alphabet
The Gurmukhi (or Punjabi) alphabet contains thirty-five distinct letters. These are:
ੳ ਅ ੲ
Ura Era Iri
The first three letters are unique because they form the basis for vowels. Apart from Era, these characters are never used on their own. See the section on vowels for further details.
ਸ ਹ ਕ ਖ ਗ ਘ
Sussa
Sa Haha
Ha Kukka
Ka Khukha
Kha Gugga
Ga Ghugga
Gha
ਙ ਚ ਛ ਜ ਝ ਞ
Ungga
Nga Chucha
Ca Chhuchha
Cha Jujja
Ja Jhujja
Jha Yanza
Nya
ਟ ਠ ਡ ਢ ਣ ਤ
Tainka
Tta Thutha
Ttha Dudda
Dda Dhudda
Ddha Nahnha
Nna Tutta
Ta
ਥ ਦ ਧ ਨ ਪ ਫ
Thutha
Tha Duda
Da Dhuda
Dha Nunna
Na Puppa
Pa Phupha
Pha
ਬ ਭ ਮ ਯ ਰ ਲ
Bubba
Ba Bhubba
Bha Mumma
Ma Yaiyya
Ya Rara
Ra Lulla
La
ਵ ੜ
Vava
Va Rahrha
Rra
In addition to these, there are six consonants created by placing a dot (bindi) at the foot (pair) of the consonant:
ਸ਼ ਖ਼ ਗ਼ ਜ਼ ਫ਼ ਲ਼
Shusha pair bindi
Sha Khukha pair bindi
Khha Gugga pair bindi
Ghha Zuzza pair bindi
Za Fuffa pair bindi
Fa Lulla pair bindi
Lla
Vowels
Gurmukhi follows similar concepts to other Brahmi scripts and as such, all consonants are followed by an inherent ‘a’ sound (unless at the end of a word when the ‘a’ is usually dropped). This inherent vowel sound can be changed by using dependent vowel signs which attach to a baring consonant. In some cases, dependent vowel signs cannot be used – at the beginning of a word or syllable for instance – and so an independent vowel character is used instead.
Dependent Vowels
◌ ਾ ਿ ੀ ੇ ੈ
Mukta
a Kanna
aa Sihari
i Bihari
ii Lavan
ee Dulavan
ai
ੁ ੂ ੋ ੌ
Onkar
u Dulankar
uu Hora
oo Kanaura
au
Dotted circles represent the barer consonant. Vowels are always pronounced after the consonant they are attached to. Thus, Sihari is always written to the left, but pronounced after the character on the right.
Independent Vowels
ਅ ਆ ਇ ਈ ਏ ਐ
a aa i ii ee ai
ਉ ਊ ਓ ਔ
u uu oo au
Vowel Examples
ਆਲੂ – aaluu – potato
ਦਿਲ – dil – heart
Halant
The Halant character is not used when writing Punjabi in Gurmukhi. However, it may occasionally be used in Sanskritised text. When it is used, it represents the suppression of the inherent vowel.
੍
Halant
The affect of this is shown below:
ਕ – Ka
ਕ੍ – K
Numbers
Gurmukhi has its own set of numerals that behave exactly as Latin (Arabic) numerals do. These are used extensively in older texts. In modern contexts, they are being replaced by standard Latin numerals although they are still in widespread use.
੦ ੧ ੨ ੩ ੪ ੫
Sifar
0 Ek
1 Dhau
2 Tinn
3 Char
4 Panj
5
੬ ੭ ੮ ੯
Chaay
6 Sat
7 Aht
8 Noh
9
Other Signs
ਂ ੰ ੱ
Bindi Tippi Addak
Bindi and Tippi are used for nasalisation (similar to the ‘n’ sound in words ending in ‘ing’). In general, Onkar (u) and Dulankar (uu) take Bindi in their initial forms and Tippi when used after a consonant. All other short vowels take Tippi and all other long vowels take Bindi. Older texts may not follow these conventions.
The use of Addak indicates that the following consonant is geminate. This means that the subsequent consonant is doubled or reinforced.
Conjuncts
A conjoined consonant combines two (or more) consonants. Modern Gurmukhi employs three main conjoined characters that sit at the bottom of a barer consonant. A half form of Yaiyya (ya) is also occasionally used.
Your browser may have problems displaying these conjuncts on their own. Please download the PDF if you are have problems.
੍ਹ ੍ਰ ੍ਵ ੍ਯ
Ha Ra Va Ya
The affect of this is shown below:
Mha - ਮ + ਹ = ਮ੍ਹ
Pra - ਪ + ਰ = ਪ੍ਰ
Dva - ਦ + ਵ = ਦ੍ਵ
Dya - ਦ + ਯ = ਦ੍ਯ
Ek Onkar
Ek Onkar is a Gurmukhi symbol that is often used in Sikh literature. It literally means ‘one God’.
ੴ
Ek Onkar
Visarg
The Visarg symbol is very occasionally used in Gurmukhi. It can either represent an abbreviation (like period is used in English) or it can act like a Sanskrit Visarg where a voiceless ‘h’ sound is pronounced after the vowel.
ਃ
Visarg
