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nw
CONSONANT LETTERS: VELAR
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* k (q) kh A g d gh
CONSONANT LETTERS: PALATAL
L c ch * j (z) (gj) 4 jh
CONSONANT LETTERS: RETROFLEX
b td 3 tdh T dt ( rr) b dth (5 rrh)
CONSONANT LETTERS: DENTAL
U t A th d h dh
CONSONANT LETTERS: LABIAL
^ p ph (f) d b U bh
CONSONANT LETTERS: ACTUAL AND FORMER SEMI-VOWELS
^ jz ( y) ( w) d r l d v
CONSONANT LETTERS: FRICATIVES
sh ^ x A s * h
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Early modern Bengali orthography: illustrative plate in Nathaniel
Brassey Halhed's A Code of Gentoo Laws (1776)
Central Shaheed Minar, Dhaka
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CLASSIFICATION OF SVOR LETTERS
The first 14 letters (of which the last three are not in modern use) of the Bengali alphabet are called
and for ease of exposition will be referred to as d svor (sonorant) letters. Among these, the letters
convey pure vowel sounds or their prolongation (although not always the same vowel sounds). However, only the
letters o, a, * i, 7 ii, T u and uu are regarded grammatically as representing pure vowels or their prolonga
aou are regarded grammatically as representing combinations of vowel elements (in each of which combinations th
a). The letters aoi and aou convey diphthongs. The letter 1 rwi and the archaic letter o
in Sanskrit the sound of r in English jeRk and the sound of l in English huLk, but without the presence of any distinct
respectively in modern Bengali the sound of ri in English bRIm and the sound of li in English sLIm. The archaic letter
Sanskrit semi-vowels that were prolongations of the sounds respectively of 1 rwi and o lwi.
Up until the table containing a full exposition of the Romanisation system, in the discussion that follows the three lett
ignored as being archaic. However, their existence is still significant for word formation, and distinctions need to be u
semi-vowels: e.g. between 1 rwi in * (* U) krwit- ([archaic stem of verb] to cut) and rwii
to communicate).
PRONUNCIATION OF CONSONANTS
As can be seen from the basic table above, Bengali consonant letters are classified as primarily being (although not ne
velar (*^ konhtdhyo - literally: "guttural"), palatal (Uld talovyo), retroflex (XhA muurdhonyo
ouxtdhyo), semi-vowel (d:7 ontohwstho - literally "boundary-standing" or "marginal" because they occur only at th
or next after a svor letter) or fricative (TH uuxmo - literally: "thermal").
To achieve a velar pronunciation, the back of the upper surface of the tongue during articulation is pressed against th
the mouth).
To achieve a palatal pronunciation, the upper surface of the tongue during articulation is bunched against the middle
mouth.
To achieve a retroflex pronunciation, the tip of the tongue during articulation is moved upwards and back against the
the roof of the mouth).
To achieve a dental pronunciation, the tip of the tongue during articulation is pressed against the backs of the upper i
To achieve a labial (or, rather, bilabial) pronunciation, the lips during articulation are compressed together and then r
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The pronunciations of the four consonants primarily classified as being semi-vowel in nature will be dealt with
The four consonants primarily classified as being fricative are produced by forcing air between a part of the tongue an
mouth.
BENGALI ORTHOGRAPHY
The Brahmi script used for classical Sanskrit originated in the eighth to seventh centuries BCE. The Bengali script der
and was largely complete by the 12th century CE. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (1820-1891) standardised Bengali typo
continued to the present day.
The Bengali script resembles the Devanagari script used for medieval Sanskrit and modern Hindi, a script also derived
less blocky and more sinuous. The sequence of alphabetic letters used in the Brahmi and Devanagari scripts still obtai
the Bengali script: except that Bengali contains a few additional letters. Letters in Bengali are sequenced into (i) the
diphthongs and (what originally were) semi-vowels; (ii) a special trio of (^lAdl* ojzougvaho (literally: distinctive
modifiers (these being : ngw, : hw and
nw (neither : ngw nor : hw can be followed by a vowel). Except in the case of the vowel
in independent form), a svor letter also and more commonly will appear in greatly mutated conjunct form joined wi
sounded immediately before it and in the same syllable. The special trio of syllabic modifiers each have only one form
letters.
The vowel o is not written, and in the absence of contrary indication is assumed to exist even i
consonant-conjunct. Conversely, a consonant is assumed immediately to be followed by an inherent but unwritten vow
unless the consonant: (i) has an elision sign, the sign known as *Ad hosonto (literally: consonant closure), attac
conjunct with any following consonant(s) (each consonant in a consonant-conjunct other than the last consonant is de
has any svor letter (besides o) appear as a conjunct with it.
Each of the svor letters a, * i, 7 ii, e, aoi, ou and aou will join in a conjunct with any consonant or co
immediately before it and in the same syllable. As a conjunct, each of these svor letters has only one form. Each of th
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conjunct is written immediately after such consonant or consonant-conjunct. Each of the svor letters
immediately before such consonant or consonant-conjunct. Each of the svor letters ou and aou
such consonant or consonant-conjunct.
Each of the svor letters T u , uu and 1 rwi will be fused to a part of any consonant or consonant-conjunct that is
the same syllable. As part of a conjunct, each of these svor letters has a usual conjunct form, which is written immed
a part of such consonant-conjunct. As part of a conjunct, each of these svor letters also has at least one other conjun
immediately below such consonant or consonant-conjunct.
When two or more consonants occur next to each other, they usually are represented in consonant-conjuncts in a Z p
the upper left to the upper right, then down and to the left, and then finally to the right) in the order in which they oc
letter that is written as part of a conjunct may greatly change from the form it has when written alone, may have sev
may have only an element (such as a stroke or a curve) of it appearing in a consonant-conjunct. Sometimes there is
of the elements of a consonant-conjunct and any of the elements of one of the constituent consonants when written a
A partial list of letter-combinations can be consulted for examples.
A ROMANISATION SYSTEM FOR BENGALI
The Roman script is overwhelmingly the dominant script in international use, used not only for such divergent Europe
English, Italian and Polish, but for non-European languages from Azerbaijani to Zulu. It is virtually the sole script in u
addition, English is overwhelmingly the dominant language of international communication, and most keyboards are p
basic alphabetical characters (alphabetical characters without diacritical marks or special forms) used for communicati
reproduction in Roman script of words from a language not written in Roman script is therefore a constant need in r
that uses a non-Roman script, however numerous its speakers may be.
The dominant influence on Romanisation systems hitherto in use for Bengali has been the International Alphabet of S
by the International Congress of Orientalists. The IAST uses diacritical marks, which may not readily be available, but
Sanskrit, in which virtually each Devanagari letter (or, if used to write Sanskrit, equivalent Brahmi or Bengali letter)
does not work so well with Bengali.
The same Bengali letter may have more than one pronunciation. For example, e is usually pronounced as the vowe
pronounced as the vowel sound in English rat. Furthermore, the same sound may be represented in Bengali in more t
English rat may occur in Bengali as ( y +) o, as ( y +) a, as e or, treating each as a single non-traditiona
Against this background, Romanisation systems hitherto in use for Bengali tend either to reproduce the letters used in
transliteration, in which the concentration is on indicating the spelling in the original language or to reproduce the s
known as transcription, in which the concentration is on indicating the pronunciation in the original language. There a
the true pronunciation or the Bengali spelling or both, even if diacritical marks which may not readily be available -
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In the system here used, the aim is to indicate unambiguously both the pronunciation and the spelling in the original
alphabetical characters in use in English (the letters A to Z) and (sparingly) apostrophes. This allows for distinctions t
the same (homonyms) but have different spellings in Bengali, such as Ald sari ([a] row, series),
garment]) and ld shari (the female) - all pronounced as IPA / ari /. This also allows for distinctions to be made b
spelling (homographs) but different pronunciations in Bengali, such as XU mot (opinion) (IPA / m
mo /). In addition, the system distinguishes between different etymologies of some of the Bengali consonants, such
*l* kajii (worker) (from Bengali *l^ karjzo [work]) and of the same consonants transcribed respectively as
official, registrar) (from Arabic / qadi / [(a) judge]) - words that are homographs in Bengali orthography an
/.
With only 26 alphabetical characters available for the Romanisation, there will be instances when a short word in Ben
phonemes will be Romanised using many characters. E.g. the word *l hyeanw (yes) is pronounced as IPA /
phonemes, but in the Romanisation it is six characters long.
There will be exceptions to pronunciations, with which their memorising or the learning of some rules will have to dea
inevitable without the awkward-looking use of additional characters such as brackets and numbers.
ROMANISATION RULES
Before considering a detailed table of the Romanisation, for ease of exposition the reader first should look at various
orthography and with differences of pronunciation not reflected in Bengali orthography. Other exceptions can conven
table.
1/ SILENT M O, ELISION AND HYPHEN
1A/ The *Ad hosonto sign is used in Bengali orthography with a consonant as an elision sign, when a
consonant and if it is desired to eliminate the default occurrence immediately after that consonant of an inherent
immediately after that consonant, the use of a hosonto generally is avoided in Bengali orthography by joining the ea
following consonant(s). However, for ease of reading in text or in banners or in handwriting, or upon the unavailabilit
particular font that is being used for typing, or to indicate (see rule 1E) that the next consonant is fully pronounced, a
earlier consonant concerned in Bengali orthography instead of joining that consonant in a conjunct with the next cons
A hosonto is represented in the Romanisation as a hyphen ( - ) without preceding space next after the consonant co
hyphen in the Romanisation to represent a hosonto in Bengali may be dropped between consonants (i.e. where the c
immediately by another consonant), unless an ambiguity thereby would be created as to the Bengali letters represent
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1F). Consequently, it in most cases need not make a difference to the Romanisation whether within a word in Bengali
consonants or a combination takes place of the two consonants into a consonant-conjunct. E.g. a Bengali word meanin
a direction" may be written in Bengali orthography as A (d+i g+d+o r+sh+o n[+o]) (joining
(d+i g+hosonto d+o r+sh+o n[+o]) (using hosonto with A g rather than joining A g in a digraph with the followin
can apply in both cases, although Romanisation as dig-dorshon can apply only in the latter case.
When a hyphen does occur within a Romanised word, it will not represent a hosonto in the Bengali if there appears i
svor letter does not take a hosonto) or (see rule 1F) an apostrophe or (see rule 1F) another hyphen.
Within and at the end of a Romanised word the combination t- (the letter T followed by a hyphen) will represent the B
U khonhdto to ( separated T), which in turn represents U t followed by hosonto.
1B/ Where a consonant is the last letter in a word and is followed by the *Ad hosonto sign in Bengali orthography
space must always be placed after that consonant in the Romanisation. E.g. * drwik- ("vision").
1C/ Where a consonant in a Bengali word is followed first by a silent inherent o and then by another letter (wheth
apostrophe ( ) to represent the silent inherent o will be placed in the Romanisation immediately after the (earlie
E.g. A** (s+o k+o l[+o] i) sokoli ("everyone"), d*ld (d+o r[+o] k+a r+ii) dorkarii ("necessary", "useful").
1D/ Where a consonant is the last letter in a word and is deemed in Bengali orthography to be followed by a silent inh
used with it), that silent inherent o will not be marked in the Romanisation. Consequently, a silent inherent
consonant which is the last letter in a Romanised word, unless a hyphen (to represent a hosonto
Romanisation (under rule 1B).
1E/ When two consonants occur next to each other, a hosonto may be used in Bengali orthography after the earlier
earlier consonant in a conjunct with the later consonant) when it is desired to indicate that the second consonant has
circumstances in which the second consonant generally is silent next after the first consonant.
For example, d v (see rule 12 below) usually is silent next after another consonant (other than d
word 7 (d+i g+hosonto) dig- (direction) is prefixed to the word d*(v+i n+d+u) vindu (point) to form a com
Instead of having A g and d v combining in Bengali orthography to form the consonant-conjunct
9*(d+i g+v+i n+d+u), and in order to indicate that d v is fully pronounced, A g and d v in this instance may b
next to each other as 7d (g+hosonto v) with A g taking a hosonto: so that the word becomes written as
Bengali.
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Similarly, X m (see rule 10 below) usually is silent next after U t, d, sh, ^ x or A s. But X m
word meaning raisin. Instead of having sh and X m combining in Bengali orthography to form the consonant-con
*9 (k+i sh+m+i sh+hosonto) kishmish-, and in order to indicate that X m is fully pronounced,
their independent forms together as X (sh+hosonto m) with sh taking a hosonto: so that the word becomes wr
sh+hosonto m+i sh+hosonto) kish-mish-.
Again, ^ / / jz (y) usually is silent next after a consonant other than d r (see rule 11 below) or (if
pronounced when the combining word dl7 (v+a g+hosonto) vag- (speech) is prefixed to the word
meaning verbal battle. Instead of having A g and ^ jz combining in Bengali orthography to form the consonant-con
indicate that ^ jz is fully pronounced, A g and ^ jz in this instance are written in their independent forms together a
a hosonto: so that the word becomes written in Bengali as dl7^ (v+a g+hosonto jz+u d+dh
d+dh+[o]) vagyuddho.
Consequently and to avoid ambiguity, a hyphen (without preceding or following space) must always be used in the Ro
consonants, to represent a hosonto, if both of the following conditions obtain: (a) the first consonant is written in B
a hosonto; and (b) the second consonant is either a fully-pronounced X m or a fully-pronounced
Bengali words for verbal battle, cardinal point and raisin would be written in Bengali (and thence Romanised)
as dl7^ (v+a g+hosonto jz+u d+dh[+o]) vag-jzuddho, 7d*(d+i g+hosonto v+i n+d+
and *X (k+i sh+hosonto m+i sh+hosonto) kish-mish- respectively.
1F/ Occasionally a hyphen may be used in Bengali to separate the two parts (constituent words) of a compound word.
be reproduced as a hyphen in the Romanisation or be dropped in the Romanisation. But if a hyphen in Bengali is to be
the first part (the constituent word before the hyphen) in Bengali ends in a consonant followed by a silent
must be used at the end of the first part and immediately before the hyphen to represent that silent
the hyphen) in Bengali ends in a consonant followed by a hosonto then, in the Romanisation, a hyphen (without prec
of the first part to represent that hosonto and immediately before the (second) hyphen representing a hyphen in Ben
Romanisation will only represent a hyphen in the Bengali if it is preceded by a vowel, apostrophe or another hyphen.
As a result, the words dl* (v+a k+hosonto) vak- (speech) and 5 (sh+o k+t+i) shokti (power) may be comb
compound word as dl*-5 (v+a k+hosonto hyphen sh+o k+t+i) (faculty of speech) and thence Romanised eith
vak--shokti, with a hyphen in the Romanisation assumed to represent a hyphen in Bengali only if
* (j+o l[+o]) jol (water) and AAX (n+i r+g+o m[+o]) nirgom (exit) would be combined in Bengali as a hyph
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Romanised as *-AAX (j+o l[+o] hyphen n+i r+g+o m[+o]) jol-nirgom ([an] outflow): the silent
a standalone word would have to be specified in the Romanisation once it occurs before a hyphen in Bengali, whereup
would represent a hyphen in Bengali.
The hyphen in the Romanisation would disappear should the hyphen be removed in the Bengali, with the result that t
become written as dl*5 (v+a k+hosonto sh+o k+t+i) vak-shokti (optionally, vakshokti) or (in the likely case th
k+sh+o k+t+i) vakshokti instead of dl*-5 (v+a k+hosonto hyphen sh+o k+t+i) vak--shokti
instead of *-AAX (j+o l[+o] hyphen n+i r+g+o m[+o]) jol-nirgom.
1G/ There will be instances of non-subcontinental words and names being transliterated or adopted in Bengali, and oc
subcontinental) words, in which a juxtaposition of consonants will occur which is apt to be misread in the Romanisatio
special indication. E.g. d and * h will occur together in a particular Bengali word derived from Persian for indigesti
contrary indication - will be apt to be misread in the Romanisation as h dh. In each such instance, a hyphen (without
be used in the Romanisation within the word between the two consonants concerned, it being assumed that a
o following the first consonant. So the particular Bengali word for indigestion may be written in Bengali as
commonly as d **X (b+o d+hosonto h+o z+o m[+o]) and thence would be Romanised in either case as
Similarly, A s and * h will occur together in the Bengali transliteration of the Arabic name
/
indication - will be apt to be misread in the Romanisation as sh. Again, a hyphen (without preceding or following sp
within the word between the two consonants concerned, it being assumed that a hosonto follows or that there is no i
consonant. So the Arabic name for Isaac may be written in Bengali as *"*l* (i s+h+a q[+o]) or more commonly as
thence would be Romanised in either case as Is-haq.
Similarly again, d r is immediately followed by another d r in a particular Bengali word for (the) sound of loud laugh
contrary indication - will be apt to be misread in the Romanisation as rr. A hyphen (without preceding or following
Romanisation within the word between the two consonants concerned, it being assumed that a hosonto
inherent o following) the first d r. The particular Bengali word is written in Bengali as Adl (g+
always be Romanised as gor-ra. This word in the Romanisation therefore becomes distinguished from the word
cattle-barrier), which is Romanised as gorra.
In practice, in the case of such unusual juxtapositions, the two unusually juxtaposed consonants in Bengali could be w
attached to the first consonant) rather than in a consonant-conjunct: so that, in practice in such a case (and in the th
the Romanisation could occur where there was a hosonto in the Bengali.
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2/ READING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT
Because of the relatively small number of Roman letters, many Bengali letters are represented in the Romanisation b
letters. In reading from left to right the Romanised form of any word, and in the absence of any special indication, on
Romanised word towards the right for such a combination to appear of two or more consecutive Roman letters that co
letter. At the point that the first of the letters being subject to the search can no longer be read with further letters to
particular combination process stops and the Bengali letter represented is conclusively identified. With any Roman let
combination, a fresh search then starts.
Let us look at the word 5 Romanised as drwirrho (firm, strict, taut).
The first Roman letter is d. That could represent the Bengali letter d. The second Roman letter is r. The combination
letter(s), does not represent a single Bengali letter. So we have established that the first Roman letter represents
Given that the first Roman letter represents the Bengali letter d, the second Roman letter could represent the Beng
Roman letter is w. The combination r+w does not represent a single Bengali letter. But then we see that the fourth Ro
represents the Bengali letter 1 rwi. The fifth Roman letter is r. The combination r+w+i+r does not represent (or form
Bengali letter. So we have established that the second, third and fourth Roman letters together represent the Bengali
As mentioned, the fifth Roman letter is r. That could represent the Bengali letter d r. Then we see that the sixth Rom
could represent the Bengali letter rr. But then we see that the seventh Roman letter is h. The combination r+r+h r
conclusion would not be altered by the subsequent presence of any other Roman letters. So we have established that
letters together represent the Bengali letter 5 rrh.
The eighth Roman letter is o. This could represent the Bengali inherent o. There are no subsequent Roman letters.
eighth and last Roman letter represents the Bengali inherent o.
The end result is that the Romanised word drwirrho represents in sequence Bengali d, 1 rwi, 5
rrh+o.
Once in the absence of special indication it is concluded that a particular sequence of Roman letters represents a part
conclusion is not altered if the final Roman letter or letters of that sequence could be used in the representation of an
leaving the earlier Roman letter or letters of that sequence to represent some other (third) Bengali letter.
Let us look at the word ^} dA Romanised as xorrros (the six tastes [sweet, sour, salty, pungent, astringent and bitt
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The first Roman letter is x and the second Roman letter is o, and these respectively stand for Bengali
Roman letters each are r. By itself, any one of these three could represent Bengali d r. By themselves, any consecuti
the Bengali letter rr. But, reading from left to right, we establish that the third, fourth and fifth Roma
letter, and that the third and fourth Roman letters together represent Bengali rr: meaning that the fifth Roman let
conclusion is not altered by the proposition that the third letter could represent d r and the fourth and fifth Roman le
The sixth Roman letter is o and the seventh Roman letter is s, and these respectively stand for Bengali (inherent)
apostrophe indicating a hosonto (vowel elision) after A s, a silent (inherent) o is assumed after the final
xorrros represents in sequence Bengali ^ x, (an inherent) o, rr, d r, (an inherent) o, A s
^} dA x+o rr+hosonto r+o s[+o] (or, in the theoretical possibility that rr is written in Bengali as a conjunct wit
s[+o]).
If, however, it is desired to prevent two or more Roman letters from being read together so as to represent a particula
in the Romanisation to separate the Roman letters concerned: see rule 1G.
3/ PRONUNCIATION OF M O AS / / OR AS / O /
The pronunciation of o as o in British English hOt (IPA / /) or as o in English Obey (IPA / o /) in any particular wo
emphasis, the addition or subtraction of prefixes and suffixes, and the presence or absence of compounding with othe
pronunciations is being used, moreover, is often not readily distinguishable. Therefore no distinction is made in the Ro
pronunciations.
4/ VOWELS OCCURRING TOGETHER
4A/ Where two pronounced vowels occur next to each other in Bengali, a reverse apostrophe ( ) will be placed betw
e.g. d*A beaini (unlawful, illegal), Ud otoev (therefore"), A(*llA nooujouwan
(you propel [a boat]). This will allow for distinctions to be made between e.g. XT mourr (diadem, tiara) and
intersection [of roads]). The use of the reverse apostrophe does not apply next to a vowel that is silent an
in dll vawa (to propel [a boat]), in which ou is silent between a and w and is represented by an apostr
("everyone"), in which an inherent o is silent between l and * i and is represented by an apostrophe.
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4B/ Where a vowel nasalised by
o
IPA / /. As o in British English hOt. The letter is called
d- svoro-o in Bengali.
In Bengali orthography, in the absence of
contra-indication and whether or not svoro-o is
actually pronounced, every consonant sign by default
comprises a consonant sound followed by an inherent
svoro-o. Consequently, in Bengali
orthography svoro-o is never actually written
immediately after a consonant.
Where the difference in pronunciation between o in
British English hOt and (see the next item) o in English
Obey is to be shown, svoro-o with the pronunciation
of IPA / / can be written as .
In Portuguese, the letter is pronounced as o in British
English hOt - e.g. av / av / (grandmother), prximo
/ primu / (next, close by, neighbour).
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o IPA / o /. As o in English Obey.
Where the difference in pronunciation between o in
British English hOt and (see the preceding item) o in
English Obey is significant, svoro-o with the
pronunciation of IPA / o / can be written as .
In Portuguese, the letter is pronounced as o in
English Obey - e.g. av / avo / (grandfather), metr
/ mero / (urban underground railway).
a
IPA / /. As a in English fAther. The letter is
called d- svoro-a in Bengali.
When sounded immediately after a consonant in the
same syllable, the letter in Bengali orthography is
written as a conjunct immediately after that consonant
(or any consonant-conjunct ending with that
consonant), and is known as -*ld a-kar
(A-maker). There is only one form l of a-kar.
ea
IPA / /. This is d- svoro-a pronounced as a in
English rAt. This pronunciation of d- svoro-a
occurs only and invariably:
(i) after a silent y in the first syllable of a word. For
the purposes of pronouncing svoro-o as occurring
after a silent y in the first syllable of a word, prefixes
and compounding are ignored.
(ii) (in any syllable) after gjnj.
l
IPA / /. As a in English rAt. When treated as a
non-traditional single grapheme, it is used in
transliterating non-subcontinental words into Bengali
orthography. Strictly speaking this is not an
independent letter, but the combination of
jzo-phola and l a-kar (conjunct a) to form a mere
diacritical mark used with o, in order to represent
the sound at the beginning of a non-subcontinental
word of IPA / /.
*
i
IPA / i /. As i in English bIt. The letter is called 3-*
hrosvo-i (short I) in Bengali.
When sounded immediately after a consonant in the
same syllable, the letter in Bengali orthography is
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written as a conjunct immediately before that
consonant (or any consonant-conjunct ending with
that consonant), and is known as 3-*-*ld
hrosvo-i-kar (short-I-maker) There is only one form
of hrosvo-i-kar.
7
ii IPA / i / in careful pronunciation: as i in English
machIne. Colloquially the letter is pronounced as i in
English bIt (IPA / i /). The letter is called d -7
diirgho-ii (long II) in Bengali.
When sounded immediately after a consonant in the
same syllable, the letter in Bengali orthography is
written as a conjunct immediately after that consonant
(or any consonant-conjunct ending with that
consonant), and is known as d -7-*ld
diirgho-ii-kar (long-II-maker). There is only one
form of diirgho-ii-kar.
In Finnish, ii is pronounced as i in English machIne: e.g.
in the word viisi / isi / (five). In the related
language Estonian, ii also is pronounced as i in English
machIne: e.g. in the word viis / vis / (five).
T
u
IPA / u /. As u in English fUll. The letter is called 3
hrosvo-u (short U) in Bengali.
When sounded immediately after a consonant in the
same syllable, the letter in Bengali orthography is
known as 3-T-*ld hrosvo-u-kar
(short-U-maker) and is fused to that consonant (or
any consonant-conjunct ending with that consonant),
below which the usual form of hrosvo-u-kar is
written. There are several variant forms of
hrosvo-u-kar.
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T
nw IPA /
~
/. Nasalisation of vowel or diphthong, as n in
French viN / v / (wine). The letter is called L*d
condrovindu (moon [and] dot) in Bengali.
(Condrovindu did not exist in classical Sanskrit, in
which the Devanagari onusvar (which has the
shape of Bengali condrovindu) would stand for both
Bengali onusvor / onusvar : and
Bengali condrovindu
).
For the purposes of implying an inherent o in the
Romanisation, condrovindu is not a consonant (no
inherent o would be implied after a
final condrovindu).
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CONSONANT
LETTERS: VELAR
Bengali letter Transliteration Pronunciation/ Comments
*
k IPA / k /. As k in English Kid. The letter is simply
called * ko in Bengali.
q IPA / k /. As k in English Kid but representing an original
sound of uvular / q / in Arabic word / Qadi /
(a judge).
kh
IPA / k /. Approximately as kh in English sinKHole and
ckh in English duCKHouse. The letter is simply called
kho in Bengali.
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A
g IPA / g /. As g in English Gas. The letter is simply
called A go in Bengali.
d
gh
IPA / /. Approximately as gh in English doGHouse.
The letter is simply called d gho in Bengali.
!
ng IPA / /. As ng in English fiNGer. The letter is
called T! ungo or TX umo in Bengali.
Return to System Table
CONSONANT
LETTERS: PALATAL
Bengali letter Transliteration Pronunciation/ Comments
L
c
IPA / t /. Approximately as c in Italian Cello or ch in
English beaCH. The letter is simply called L co in
Bengali.
ch
IPA / t /. Approximately as "tch h" in English "maTCH
Head" or "chh" in English beaCHHead. The letter is
simply called cho in Bengali.
*
j
IPA / /. Approximately as gi in Italian adaGIo (at
ease) or j in English aJar. The letter is called dA
vorgiiyo jo (generic J) in Bengali.
z
IPA / z / (as z in English Zebra) or IPA / /
(approximately as gi in Italian adaGIo or j in English
aJar), but representing an original sound of, or close
to, z in English Zebra or th in English THe.
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gj IPA / g /. As g in English Gap, occurring only and
invariably before nj: a juxtaposition which occurs
only in the numerous words derived from the archaic
verbal stem 3l gjnjea (to know, to be aware of).
In standard and Tosk dialects of Albanian the
compound letter gj is pronounced as IPA / / (a
palatalised g), not far from the sound of IPA / gj /
given to g in English leGume (IPA / ljum /): e.g.
gjuh / uh / (language, [anatomical] tongue). In
Gheg dialects of Albanian, gj may be pronounced as gi
in Italian adaGIo - e.g. gjndje / dndje / (situation,
condition).
4
jh
IPA / /. Approximately as dgeh in English
briDGEHead. The letter is simply called 4 jho in
Bengali.
rr
The grapheme is called T A d dto shuunyo ro
Bengali, and is grammatically a variant of the letter
muurdhonyo dto and not a separate letter: the
combination of muurdhonyo dto with a dot used as
a mere diacritical mark.
Here: IPA / r / (as r in English aRid or rr in English
huRRy). In earlier (and still in careful) pronunciation,
retroflexed as IPA / /.
b
dth
IPA / /. Approximately as dh in English maDHouse
but retroflexed. The letter is called XhA b
muurdhonyo dtho (coronal DTH) in Bengali.
The Romanisation of this letter follows that for the
letter T dt.
5
rrh
The grapheme 5 is called b A d dtho shuunyo ro
in Bengali, and is grammatically a variant of the letter
muurdhonyo dtho and not a separate letter: the
combination of muurdhonyo dtho with a dot used
as a mere diacritical mark.
Here: IPA / r / (as r in English aRid or rrh in English
cataRRH). In earlier (and still in careful) pronunciation,
retroflexed as IPA / /. Originally both retroflexed and
aspirated as IPA / / (approximately as rh in English
brotheRHood or rrh in English buRRHead).
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+
nh
IPA / /. As a retroflexed version of n in English bar
when next to the retroflex consonants b td, 3 tdh, T
dt, and (in theory) b dth. This is the original
pronunciation. The letter is called XhA +
muurdhonyo nho (coronal NH) in Bengali.
In careful pronunciation, the letter is always sounded
as retroflexed / /.
In central Welsh, nh at the start of a word is
pronounced as an aspirated alveolar voiceless nasal
(approximately like nh in English iNHerit): e.g. in the
word nhad / nhd / ([my] father), for which the
nearest Bengali transliteration would be +lT nhadt.
nh IPA / n /. As alveolar n in English Net - the usual
pronunciation in modern Bengali.
Return to System Table
CONSONANT
LETTERS: DENTAL
Bengali letter Transliteration Pronunciation/ Comments
U
t
IPA / /. As the dentalised t in French mTier / meje /
(profession) or Italian andanTe (ambling). The letter
is called d U dontyo to (dental T) in Bengali.
t-
IPA / /. As the dentalised t in French fte / f /
(festival). The character is called ?
U khonhdto to (separated T) in Bengali, but is not
an independent letter. It represents (and at the end of
a word sometimes is written as) U t followed by
hosonto - U - that is, U t without the inherent
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subsequent o.
Khonhdto to does not in Bengali orthography follow a
consonant or precede a vowel, and it exists either at
the end of a word or before a consonant or
consonant-conjunct with which U t does not have a
combining form.
A
th
IPA / /. Approximately as th in English hoTHead but
dentalised, and similar to th in English THin. The letter
is called d A dontyo tho (dental TH) in Bengali.
In ancient Greek, the letter Romanised as th
originally had the pronunciation / /.
d
IPA / /. As the dentalised d in French maDame /
mm / (Mrs, Ms, my Lady) or Italian Dolce
(sweet). The letter is called d dontyo
do (dental D) in Bengali.
h
dh
IPA / /. Approximately as dh in English maDHouse
but dentalised, and similar to th in English THen. The
letter is called d h dontyo dho (dental DH) in
Bengali.
A
n
IPA / /. As the dentalised n in Italian andaNte
(ambling), when next to the dental consonants U t,
A th, d, and h dh. This is the original pronunciation.
The letter is called d A dontyo no (dental N) in
Bengali.
In careful pronunciation, the letter is always sounded
as dentalised / /.
n IPA / n /. As the alveolar n in English Net - the usual
pronunciation in modern Bengali.
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In practice, the difference between dentalised / /
and alveolar / n / is so small that it may be ignored.
Return to System Table
CONSONANT
LETTERS: LABIAL
Bengali letter Transliteration Pronunciation/ Comments
^
p IPA / p /. As p in English raP. The letter is simply
called ^ po in Bengali.
ph
IPA / p /. Approximately as ph in English uPHold. The
letter is simply called pho in Bengali.
In ancient Greek, the letter Romanised as ph
originally had the pronunciation / p /. The letter
pho in Bengali words derived from Greek or
Greek-based words consequently will be Romanised as
ph and not (see next) as f.
f
IPA / f / (as f in English Fat) or IPA / p /
(approximately as ph in English uPHold), but
representing an original sound in a word of
non-subcontinental origin of f in English Fat.
In personal names of non-subcontinental origin, the
pronunciation of f as f in English Fat is the preferred
pronunciation. Otherwise, pronunciation as IPA / p / is
usual.
d
b
IPA / b /. As b in English Bid. The letter is called d bo
or, sometimes, dA d (dA d) vorgiiyo bo (vorgyo
bo) (generic B) in Bengali.
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b
Silent. Exceptionally, d b is silent (and doubles the
pronunciation of the preceding m) in the word A*7
sombondho (relationship, connection; marriage
proposal) and in words made by the addition to A*7
sombondho of suffixes.
U
bh
IPA / b /. Approximately as bh in English aBHor. The
letter is simply called U bho in Bengali.
X
m IPA / m /. As m in English Market. The letter is simply
called X mo in Bengali.
m Silent, immediately after and (other than at the start
of a word) doubling the pronunciation of U t, d,
l, sh, ^ x or A s.
At the start of the suffix XlA / XU man- / motii
(possessing), X m is not silent even when the suffix
is added to a word ending in
U t, d, sh, ^ x or A s. For example, X m is fully
pronounced in the word HlA ayuxman- /
ayux-man- (long-living) formed by adding
XlA man- (possessing) to ^ ayux- (lifetime).
Return to System Table
CONSONANT
LETTERS: FORMER
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AND ACTUAL
SEMI-VOWELS
Bengali letter Transliteration Pronunciation/ Comments
^
jz
IPA / /. As gi in Italian adaGIo (at ease) or j in
English aJar, but more palatalised. The letter in this
form ^ is called d:7 ^ ontohwstho jzo in Bengali.
y
The grapheme is called d:7 ontohwstho o in
Bengali, and is grammatically a variant of the letter
ontohwstho jzo and not a separate letter: the
combination of ^ ontohwstho jzo with a dot used
as a mere diacritical mark.
Here: IPA / j / (as y in English maYor) between vowels,
or IPA / / (as y in English awaY) otherwise. These are
the original pronunciations of ontowstho jzo, and they
apply to d:7 ontohwstho o except in the case
of w (see the next item).
w Here: IPA / w /. As w in English aWake.
This pronunciation of d:7 ontohwstho o occurs
whenever the letter in Bengali is preceded by (i) T u
or (ii) uu, or (iii) ou (ou may or may not be
silent).
With this pronunciation, the letter is written
as d wo in Assamese.
y
The grapheme is called ^-l jzo-phola
(JZ-producer) in Bengali, and is grammatically a
form of the letter ^ ontohwstho jzo (or its
variant ontohwstho o) and not a separate letter.
Here: silent and doubling the pronunciation of an
immediately preceding consonant. Ontohwstho
jzo (or ontohwstho o) takes the form jzo-phola next
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after a consonant, other than r when r occurs next
after a vowel. Jzo-phola is silent except next after:
(i) h when h occurs next after a vowel and
(ii) r when r occurs next after a consonant.
After some consonants in some fonts, jzo-phola is
fused to the preceding consonant.
y
Here: IPA / / (as e in English nEar). Jzo-phola is only
so pronounced next after r when r occurs next after a
consonant.
jz
Here: IPA / /. As gi in Italian adaGIo (at ease) or j
in English aJar, but more palatalised. Jzo-phola is only
so pronounced next after h when h occurs next after a
vowel.
d
r IPA / r /. As r in English aRid. The letter is called
d:7 d ontohwstho ro (marginal R) in Bengali. It
is written as d in Assamese.
When it is at the same time preceded by a vowel and
followed by another consonant, the letter in Bengali
orthography is written in a form
known as d reph
immediately above that following consonant.
When it is at the same time preceded by a different
consonant (not r) and followed by a vowel or (in an
infrequent case) by y (which will be in the form . ^
jzo-phola), the letter in Bengali orthography is written
as a conjunct r or d-l ro-phola (R-producer),
usually in a form
sh
IPA / /. As sh in English wiSH but palatalised, when
next to the palatal consonants L c, ch, * j, 4 jh,
and nj. This is the original pronunciation, invariably
palatalised. The letter is called Uld talovyo sho
(palatal SH) in Bengali.
sh
IPA / s /. As s in English Slow, when next before 1 rwi
or d r or l.
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sh IPA / /. As sh in English waSH - the usual
pronunciation in modern Bengali.
^ x IPA / /. As sh in English harSHer but retroflexed, when
next to the retroflex consonants b td, 3 tdh, T dt, and
b dth. This is the original pronunciation. The letter is
called XhA ^ muurdhonyo xo (coronal X) in Bengali.
x IPA / k /. Approximately as kh in English sinKHole.
Occurring only and invariably immediately after * k in
the conjunct V kx.
In ancient Greek, the letter Romanised as kh
originally had the pronunciation / k /.
x IPA / /. As sh in English caSH - the usual
pronunciation in modern Bengali.
In medieval precursors to Iberian Romance languages,
the letter x generally had the pronunciation / /. The
letter in Portuguese most commonly still has the
pronunciation / / - e.g. in caixa / kj / (box,
cashier). Likewise in Catalan - e.g. in xarop / rop /
(syrup) - and in Galician (Gallego) - e.g. in viaxe /
bje / (journey).
The non-Indo-European Basque language employs the
pronunciation / / for the letter x - e.g. in xuri / uri /
(white). The Semitic Maltese language also assigns
the pronunciation / / to the letter x - e.g. in xemxata
/ mt / (sunstroke).
A s IPA / s /. As s in English Star: (i) when next before any
of the dental consonants U t, A th, d, h dh, and A n;
(ii) when next before 1 rwi or X mrwi [X m is silent
immediately after A s] or d r or l; (iii) when
representing an original / s / in a word taken from
English; or (iv) when occurring at the start of a word
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