View source for Assamese alphabet

{{For|its ancestral script|Kamarupi script}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2013}}
{{Infobox writing system
|name=Assamese Alphabet
|qid=Q756802
|type=[[Abugida]]
|languages=[[Assamese language|Assamese]]
|time=8th century to the present
|region=[[Assam]], 
|fam1=[[Proto-Sinaitic script]]<sup>[a]</sup>
|fam2=[[Phoenician alphabet]]<sup>[a]</sup>
|fam3=[[Aramaic alphabet]]<sup>[a]</sup>
|fam4=[[Brahmi script]]
|fam5=[[Gupta script]]
|fam6=[[Siddhaṃ script]]
|fam7=[[Bengali-Assamese script]]<ref>"In fact, the term 'Eastern Nagari' seems to be the only designation which does not favour one or the other language. However, it is only applied in academic discourses, whereas the name 'Bengali script' dominates the global public sphere." {{harvcol|Brandt|2014|p=25}}</ref>
|footnotes=[a] The Semitic origin of the Brahmic scripts is not universally agreed upon.
|sample=Oxomiya Lipi.svg
| sisters   = [[Bengali alphabet]] and [[Tirhuta]]
|imagesize=
}}
{{Contains Assamese text}}
{{Contains special characters|Indic}}
{{brahmic}}
The '''Assamese alphabet''',<ref>The name ''ăcãmăkṣara'' first appears in [[Ahom Kingdom|Ahom]] coins and copperplates where the name denoted the [[Ahom script]] {{Harvcol|Bora|1981|pp=11–12}}</ref> is a writing system of the [[Assamese language]] and is a part of the [[Bengali–Assamese script|Bengali-Assamese script]]. This script was also used in [[Assam]] and nearby regions for [[Sanskrit]] as well as other languages such as Bodo (now Devanagari), Khasi (now Roman), Missing (now Roman), Jaintia (now Roman) etc. It evolved from [[Kamarupi script]]. The current form of the script has seen continuous development from the 5th-century [[Umachal rock inscription|Umachal]]/[[Nagajari-Khanikargaon rock inscription|Nagajari-Khanikargaon]] rock inscriptions written in an eastern variety of the [[Gupta script]], adopting significant traits from the [[Siddhaṃ script]] in the 7th century. By the 17th century three styles of Assamese alphabets could be identified (''baminiya'', ''kaitheli'' and ''garhgaya'')<ref>{{Harvcol|Bora|1981|p=53}}</ref> that converged to the standard script following [[typesetting]] required for printing. The present standard is identical to the [[Bengali alphabet]] except for two letters, {{lang|as|ৰ}} (ro) and {{lang|as|ৱ}} (vo); and the letter {{lang|as|ক্ষ}} (khya) has evolved into an individual consonant by itself with its own phonetic quality whereas in the [[Bengali alphabet]] it is a [[Conjunct consonant|conjunct]] of two letters.

The ''[[Buranji]]s'' were written during the [[Ahom dynasty]] in the Assamese language using the Assamese alphabet. In the 14th century [[Madhava Kandali]] used Assamese alphabets to compose the famous ''[[Saptakanda Ramayana]]'', which is the first translation of ''[[Ramayana]]'' in a regional language after [[Valmiki]]'s ''Ramayana'' in [[Sanskrit]]. Later, [[Sankardev]] used it in the 15th and 16th centuries to compose his oeuvre in Assamese and [[Brajavali dialect]], the literary language of the [[bhakti]] poems ([[borgeet]]s) and dramas.

The Ahom king [[Supangmung]] (1663–1670) was the first ruler who started issuing Assamese coins for his kingdom. Some similar scripts with minor differences are used to write [[Maithili language|Maithili]], [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Meithei language|Meithei]] and [[Sylheti language|Sylheti]].

==History==
[[Image:Kanai Baraxiboa rock inscription.png|right|thumb|400px|''Kanai-boroxiboa'' rock inscription, 1207 CE, shows proto-Assamese script]]
The [[Umachal rock inscription]] of the 5th century evidences the first use of a script in the region. The script was very similar to the one used in Samudragupta's [[Allahabad Pillar]] inscription. Rock and copper plate inscriptions from then onwards, and ''Xaansi'' bark manuscripts right up to the 18th–19th centuries show a steady development of the Assamese alphabet. The script could be said to develop proto-Assamese shapes by the 13th century. In the 18th and 19th century, the Assamese script could be divided into three varieties: ''Kaitheli'' (also called ''Lakhari'' in [[Kamrup region]], used by non-Brahmins), ''Bamuniya'' (used by Brahmins, for Sanskrit) and ''Garhgaya'' (used by state officials of the [[Ahom kingdom]])—among which the ''Kaitheli'' style was the most popular, with medieval books (like the ''Hastir-vidyrnava'') and sattras using this style.<ref>{{harv|Neog|1980|p=308}}</ref> In the early part of the 19th century, Atmaram Sarmah designed the first Assamese script for printing in [[Serampore]], and the Bengali and Assamese lithography converged to the present standard that is used today.

==Assamese symbols==

===Vowels===
The script presently has a total of 11 vowel letters, used to represent the eight main vowel sounds of Assamese, along with a number of vowel diphthongs. All of these are used in both [[Assamese language|Assamese]] and [[Bengali language|Bengali]], the two main languages using the script. In addition to the vowel system in the [[Bengali alphabet]] the Assamese alphabet has an additional "''matra''" (ʼ) that is used to represent the phonemes {{lang|as|অʼ}} and {{lang|as|এʼ}}.  Some of the vowel letters have different sounds depending on the word, and a number of vowel distinctions preserved in the writing system are not pronounced as such in modern spoken Assamese or Bengali. For example, the Assamese script has two symbols for the vowel sound {{IPA|[i]}} and two symbols for the vowel sound {{IPA|[u]}}. This redundancy stems from the time when this script was used to write Sanskrit, a language that had a short {{IPA|[i]}} and a long {{IPA|[iː]}}, and a short {{IPA|[u]}} and a long {{IPA|[uː]}}. These letters are preserved in the Assamese script with their traditional names of ''hôrswô i'' (lit. 'short i') and ''dirghô i'' (lit. 'long i'), etc., despite the fact that they are no longer pronounced differently in ordinary speech.

Vowel signs can be used in conjunction with consonants to modify the pronunciation of the consonant (here exemplified by {{lang|as|ক}}, kô). When no vowel is written, the vowel {{lang|as|অ}} (ô or o) is often assumed. To specifically denote the absence of a vowel, ({{lang|as|্}}) may be written underneath the consonant.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|+ '''Vowels'''
|-
! Letter !! Name of letter !! Vowel sign with {{IPA|[kɔ]}} ({{lang|as|ক}}) !! Name of vowel sign !! Transliteration !! IPA
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|অ}} || o || style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ক}} <span style="font-size:80%;">(none)</span>
| (none) || ko || align=center | {{IPA|kɔ}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|অ}} <span style="font-size:80%;"> or</span> {{lang|as|অʼ}} || ó || style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ক}} <span style="font-size:80%;">(none) or</span> {{lang|as|কʼ}}
| urdho-comma || kó || align=center | {{IPA|ko}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|আ}} || a || style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|কা}}
| akar || ka || align=center | {{IPA|ka}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ই}} || hroswo i || style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|কি}}
| hôrswôikar || ki || align=center | {{IPA|ki}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ঈ}} || dirgho i || style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|কী}}
| dirghoikar || ki || align=center | {{IPA|ki}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|উ}} || hroswo u || style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|কু}}
| hroswoukar || ku || align=center | {{IPA|ku}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ঊ}} || dirgho u || style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|কূ}}
| dirghoukar || ku || align=center | {{IPA|ku}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ঋ}} || ri || style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|কৃ}}
| rikar || kri || align=center | {{IPA|kri}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|এ}} || e || style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|কে}}
| ekar || kê and ke || align=center | {{IPA|kɛ}} and {{IPA|ke}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ঐ}} || oi || style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|কৈ}}
| ôikar || koi || align=center | {{IPA|kɔɪ}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ও}} || ü || style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|কো}}
| ükar || kü || align=center | {{IPA|kʊ}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ঔ}} || ou || style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|কৌ}}
| oukar || kou || align=center | {{IPA|kɔʊ}}
|-
|}

===Consonants===

[[Image:Siva-1.JPG|right|thumb|400px|The text says: "Sri Sri Môt Xiwô Xinghô Môharaza". The "{{lang|as|র}}" is used as "{{lang|as|ৱ}}" in this 18th-century manuscript, just as in modern [[Mithilakshar]].]]
The names of the consonant letters in Assamese are typically just the consonant's main pronunciation plus the inherent vowel ''ô''. Since the inherent vowel is assumed and not written, most letters' names look identical to the letter itself (e.g. the name of the letter {{lang|as|ঘ}} is itself {{lang|as|ঘ}} ''ghô''). Some letters that have lost their distinctive pronunciation in Modern Assamese are called by a more elaborate name. For example, since the consonant phoneme /n/ can be written {{lang|as|ন}}, {{lang|as|ণ}}, or {{lang|as|ঞ}} (depending on the spelling of the particular word), these letters are not simply called ''no''; instead, they are called {{lang|as|ন}} ''dontiya no'' ("dental n"), {{lang|as|ণ}} ''murdhoinno no'' ("retroflex n"), and {{lang|as|ঞ}} ''nio''. Similarly, the phoneme {{IPA|/x/}} can be written as {{lang|as|শ}} ''taloibbo xo'' ("palatal x"), {{lang|as|ষ}} ''murdhoinno xo'' ("retroflex x"), or {{lang|as|স}} ''dontia xo'' ("dental x"), the phoneme {{IPA|/s/}} can be written using {{lang|as|চ}} ''prothom sô'' ("first s") or {{lang|as|ছ}} ''ditio so'' ("second s"), and the phoneme {{IPA|/z/}} can be written using {{lang|as|জ}} ''borgia zo'' ("row z" = "the z included in the five rows of stop consonants") or {{lang|as|য}} ''ontostho zo'' ("z situated between" = "the z that comes between the five rows of stop consonants and the row of sibilants"), depending on the standard spelling of the particular word.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ '''Consonants'''
! Letter !! Name of Letter !! Transliteration !! IPA
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ক}} || ko || k || align=center | {{IPA|k}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|খ}} || kho || kh || align=center | {{IPA|kʱ}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|গ}} || go || g || align=center | {{IPA|ɡ}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ঘ}} || gho || gh || align=center | {{IPA|ɡʱ}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ঙ}} || uŋo || ng || align=center | {{IPA|ŋ}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|চ}} || prothom so || s || align=center | {{IPA|s}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ছ}} || ditio so || s || align=center | {{IPA|s}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|জ}} || borgiya zo || z || align=center | {{IPA|z}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ঝ}} || zho || zh || align=center | {{IPA|z}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ঞ}} || nio || y || align=center | {{IPA|̃}}, {{IPA|n}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ট}} || murdhoinno to || t || align=center | {{IPA|t}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ঠ}} || murdhoinno tho || th || align=center | {{IPA|tʰ}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ড}} || murdhoinno do || d || align=center | {{IPA|d}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ঢ}} || murdhoinno dho || dh || align=center | {{IPA|dʱ}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ণ}} || murdhoinnya no || n || align=center | {{IPA|n}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ত}} || dontia to || t || align=center | {{IPA|t}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|থ}} || dontia tho || th || align=center | {{IPA|tʰ}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|দ}} || dontia do || d || align=center | {{IPA|d}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ধ}} || dontia dho || dh || align=center | {{IPA|dʱ}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ন}} || dontia no || n || align=center | {{IPA|n}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|প}} || po || p || align=center | {{IPA|p}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ফ}} || pho || ph and f || align=center | {{IPA|pʰ}}~{{IPA|ɸ}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ব}} || bo || b || align=center | {{IPA|b}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ভ}} || bho || bh and vh || align=center | {{IPA|bʱ}}~{{IPA|β}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ম}} || mo || m || align=center | {{IPA|m}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|য}} || ontostho zo || z || align=center | {{IPA|z}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|[[Assamese rô|ৰ]]}} || ro || r || align=center | {{IPA|ɹ}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ল}} || lo || l || align=center | {{IPA|l}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ৱ}} || wo || w || align=center | {{IPA|w}}~{{IPA|β}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|শ}} || taloibbo xo || x and s || align=center | {{IPA|x}}~{{IPA|s}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ষ}} || murdhoinno xo || x and s || align=center | {{IPA|x}}~{{IPA|s}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|স}} || dontia xo || x and s || align=center | {{IPA|x}}~{{IPA|s}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|হ}} || ho || h || align=center | {{IPA|ɦ}}~{{IPA|h}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ক্ষ}} || khyo || khy, kkh || align=center | {{IPA|kʰj}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ড়}} || dore ro || r || align=center | {{IPA|ɹ}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|ঢ়}} || dhore ro || rh || align=center | {{IPA|ɹɦ}}
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" | {{lang|as|য়}} || ontostho yô || y || align=center | {{IPA|j}}
|-
|}

[[File:Asamiya Consonant Conjuncts.png|thumb|1240x265px|<center>''A few of '''[[Asamiya]]''' Consonant Conjuncts''.</center>]]
[[File:Asamiya vowel diacritics.jpg|thumb|1240x1240px|{{center|''Asamiya vowel diacritics.}}]]

[[Assamese language|Assamese or Asamiya]] [[consonant]]s include thirty three pure consonant letters in Assamese alphabet and each letter represents a single sound with an inherent vowel, the short vowel /a /.

The first twenty-five consonants letters are called '''''sporxo borno'''''. These ''sporxo bornos'' are again divided into five ''borgos''. Therefore, these twenty-five letters are also called '''''borgio borno'''''.

The Assamese consonants are typically just the consonant's main [[pronunciation]] plus the inherent [[vowel]] '''''o'''''. The inherent vowel is assumed and not written, thus, names of most letters look identical to the letter itself (e.g. the name of the letter ঘ is itself ঘ gho).

Some letters have lost their distinctive pronunciation in modern Assamese are called by a more elaborate name. For example, since the consonant phoneme /n/ can be written ন, ণ, or ঞ (depending on the spelling of the particular word), these letters are not simply called no; instead, they are called ন dointo no ("dental n"), ণ murdhoinno no ("cerebral n"), and ঞ nio.

Similarly, the phoneme /x/ can be written as শ taloibbo xo ("palatal x"), ষ murdh9inno xo ("cerebral x"), or স dointo xo ("dental x"), the phoneme /s/ can be written using চ prothom so ("first s") or ছ ditio so ("second s"), and the phoneme /z/ can be written using জ borgio zo ("row z" = "the z included in the five rows of stop consonants") or য ontostho zo ("z situated between" = "the z that comes between the five rows of stop consonants and the row of sibilants"), depending on the standard spelling of the particular word.

The consonants can be arranged in following groups:

'''''Group: 1 - [[Guttural]]s'''''    
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Consonants !! Phonetics
|-
| ক || kô
|-
| খ || khô
|-
| গ || gô
|-
| ঘ || ghô
|-
| ঙ || ṅgô
|}

'''''Group: 2 - [[Palatal consonant|Palatal]]s'''''

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Consonants !! Phonetics 
|-
| চ || prôthôm sô 
|-
| ছ || ditiyô sô
|-
| জ || bôrgiya ja
|-
| ঝ || jhô
|-
| ঞ || ñiô
|}

'''''Group: 3 - [[Cerebral consonant|Cerebral]]s or [[Retroflex consonant|Retroflex]]'''''

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Consonants !! Phonetics 
|-
| ট || murdhôinnya ṭa
|-
| ঠ || murdhôinnya ṭha
|-
| ড || murdhôinnya ḍa
|-
| ড় || daré ṛa
|-
| ঢ || murdhôinnya ḍha
|-
| ঢ় || dharé ṛha
|-
| ণ || murdhôinnya ṇa
|}

'''''Group: 4 - [[Dental consonant|Dental]]s'''''   
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Consonants !! Phonetics 
|-
| ত || dôntiya ta
|-
| ৎ || khanda ṯ
|-
| থ || dôntiya tha
|-
| দ || dôntiya da
|-
| ধ || dôntiya dha
|-
| ন || dôntiya na
|}

'''''Group: 5 - [[Labial consonant|Labial]]s'''''   
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Consonants !! Phonetics 
|-
| প || pa
|-
| ফ || pha
|-
| ব || ba
|-
| ভ || bha
|-
| ম || ma
|}

'''''Group: 6 - [[Semivowel]]s'''''   
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Consonants !! Phonetics 
|-
| য || ôntôsthô zô
|-
| য় || ôntôsthô ẏô
|-
| ৰ || ra
|-
| ল || la
|-
| ৱ || wa
|}

'''''Group: 7 - [[Sibilant]]s'''''   
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Consonants !! Phonetics 
|-
| শ || talôibbya xô
|-
| ষ || mudhôinnya xô
|-
| স || dôntiya xô
|}

'''''Group: 8 - [[Aspirated consonant|Aspirate]]'''''   
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Consonants !! Phonetics 
|-
| হ || ha
|-
|ক্ষ || khyô
|}

'''''Group: 9 - Anuxāra'''''   
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Consonants !! Phonetics 
|-
| ং || ṃ anuxar
|}

'''''Group: 9 - Bixarga'''''   
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Consonants !! Phonetics 
|-
| ঃ || ḥ bixarga
|}

'''''Group: 10 - Candrabindu (anunāsika) '''''   
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Consonants !! Phonetics 
|-
| ঁ || n̐, m̐ candrabindu
|}

*The letters '''শ''' (''talôibbya xô''), '''ষ''' (''murdhôinnya xô''), '''স''' (''dôntiya xô'') and '''হ''' (hô)  are called '''''usma barna'''''
* The letters '''য''' (za), ৰ (ra), ল (la) and '''ৱ''' (wa) are called '''''ôntôsthô barna'''''
*The letters '''ড়''' (''daré ṛa'') and '''ঢ়''' (''dharé ṛha'') are phonetically similar to /ra/
*The letter '''য''' (''ôntôsthô zô'') is articulated like ''''''ôntôsthô yô'''''' in the word medial and final position. To denote the ''ôntôsthô ẏô'', the letter '''য়''' (''ôntôsthô ẏô'') is used in Assamese
* '''ৎ''' (khanda ṯ) means the consonant letter Tö (''dôntiya ta'') without the inherent vowel

==== Halant ====
To write a consonant without the inherent vowel the halant sign is used below the base glyph. In Assamese this sign is called '''''haxanta'''''. (্)

==== Consonant Conjuncts====
In Assamese, the combination of three consonants is possible without their intervening vowels. There are about 122 conjunct letters. A few conjunct letters are given below:

==== Anuxôr ====
Anuxôr ( ং ) indicates a nasal consonant sound (velar). When an anuxar comes before a consonant belonging to any of the 5 '''''bargas''''', it represents the nasal consonant belonging to that '''''barga'''''.

==== Candrabindu ====
Chandrabindu ( ঁ ) denotes nasalization of the vowel that is attached to it .

==== Bixargô ====
Bixargô  ( ঃ ) represents a sound similar to /h /.

===Consonant clusters according to Goswami===
According to Dr. G. C. Goswami the number of two-phoneme clusters is 143 symbolised by 174 conjunct letters. Three phoneme clusters are 21 in number, which are written by 27 conjunct clusters. A few of them are given hereafter as examples:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Conjunct letters !! Transliteration !! [Phoneme clusters (with [[phonetics]])
|-
| {{lang|as|ক + ক}} || (kô + kô) || {{lang|as|ক্ক}} kkô
|-ko+to +kta
| {{lang|as|ঙ + ক}} || (ŋô + kô) || {{lang|as|ঙ্ক}} ŋkô
|-
| {{lang|as|ল + ক}} || (lô + kô) || {{lang|as|ল্ক}} lkô
|-
| {{lang|as|স + ক}} || (xô + kô) || {{lang|as|স্ক}} skô
|-
| {{lang|as|স + ফ}} || (xô + phô) || {{lang|as|স্ফ}} sphô
|-
| {{lang|as|ঙ + খ}} || (ŋô + khô) || {{lang|as|ঙ্খ}} ŋkhô
|-
| {{lang|as|স + খ}} || (xô + khô) || {{lang|as|স্খ}} skhô
|-
| {{lang|as|ঙ + গ}} || (ŋô + gô) || {{lang|as|ঙ্গ}} ŋgô
|-
| {{lang|as|ঙ + ঘ}} || (ŋô + ghô) || {{lang|as|ঙ্ঘ}} ŋghô
|-
| {{lang|as|দ + ঘ}} || (dô + ghô) || {{lang|as|দ্ঘ}} dghô
|-
| {{lang|as|শ + চ}} || (xô + sô) || {{lang|as|শ্চ}} ssô
|-
| {{lang|as|চ + ছ}} || (sô + shô) || {{lang|as|চ্ছ}} sshô
|-
| {{lang|as|ঞ + ছ}} || (ñô + shô) || {{lang|as|ঞ্ছ}} ñshô
|-
| {{lang|as|ঞ + জ}} || (ñô + zô) || {{lang|as|ঞ্জ}} ñzô
|-
| {{lang|as|জ + ঞ}} || (zô + ñô) || {{lang|as|জ্ঞ}} zñô
|-
| {{lang|as|ল + ট}} || (lô + ṭô) || {{lang|as|ল্ট}} lṭô
|-
| {{lang|as|ণ + ঠ}} || (ṇô + ṭhô) || {{lang|as|ণ্ঠ}} ṇṭhô
|-
| {{lang|as|ষ + ঠ}} || (xô + ṭhô) || {{lang|as|ষ্ঠ}} ṣṭhô
|-
| {{lang|as|ণ + ড}} || (ṇô + ḍô) || {{lang|as|ণ্ড}} ṇḍô
|-
| {{lang|as|ষ + ণ}} || (xô + ṇô) || {{lang|as|ষ্ণ}} ṣṇô
|-
| {{lang|as|হ + ন}} || (hô + nô) || {{lang|as|হ}} hnô
|-
| {{lang|as|ক + ষ}} || (kô + xô) || {{lang|as|ক্ষ}} ksô
|-
| {{lang|as|প + ত}} || (pô + tô) || {{lang|as|প্ত}} ptô
|-
| {{lang|as|স + ত}} || (xô + tô) || {{lang|as|স্ত}} stô
|-
| {{lang|as|ক + ত}} || (kô + tô) || {{lang|as|ক্ত}} ktô
|-
| {{lang|as|গ + ন}} || (gô + nô) || {{lang|as|গ্ন}} gnô
|-
| {{lang|as|ম + ন}} || (mô + nô) || {{lang|as|ম্ন}} mnô
|-
| {{lang|as|শ + ন}} || (xô + nô) || {{lang|as|শ্ন}} snô
|-
| {{lang|as|স + ন}} || (xô + nô) || {{lang|as|স্ন}} snô
|-
| {{lang|as|হ + ন}} || (hô + nô) || {{lang|as|হ্ন}} hnô
|-
| {{lang|as|ত + থ}} || (tô + thô) || {{lang|as|ত্থ}} tthô
|-
| {{lang|as|ন + থ}} || (nô + thô) || {{lang|as|ন্থ}} nthô
|-
| {{lang|as|ষ + থ}} || (xô + thô) || {{lang|as|ষ্থ}} sthô
|-
| {{lang|as|ন + দ}} || (nô + dô) || {{lang|as|ন্দ}} ndô
|-
| {{lang|as|ব + দ}} || (bô + dô) || {{lang|as|ব্দ}} bdô
|-
| {{lang|as|ম + প}} || (mô + pô) || {{lang|as|ম্প}} mpô
|-
| {{lang|as|ল + প}} || (lô + pô) || {{lang|as|ল্প}} lpô
|-
| {{lang|as|ষ + প}} || (xô + pô) || {{lang|as|ষ্প}} spô
|-
| {{lang|as|স + প}} || (xô + pô) || {{lang|as|স্প}} spô
|-
| {{lang|as|ম + ফ}} || (mô + phô) || {{lang|as|ম্ফ}} mphô
|-
| {{lang|as|ষ + ফ}} || (xô + phô) || {{lang|as|স্ফ}} sphô
|-
| {{lang|as|দ + ব}} || (dô + bô) || {{lang|as|দ্ব}} dbô
|-
| {{lang|as|ম + ব}} || (mô + bô) || {{lang|as|ম্ব}} mbô
|-
| {{lang|as|হ + ব}} || (hô + bô) || {{lang|as|হ্ব}} hbô
|-
| {{lang|as|দ + ভ}} || (dô + bhô) || {{lang|as|দ্ভ}} dbhô
|-
| {{lang|as|ম + ভ}} || (mô + bhô) || {{lang|as|ম্ভ}} mbhô
|-
| {{lang|as|ক + ম}} || (kô + mô) || {{lang|as|ক্ম}} kmô
|-
| {{lang|as|দ + ম}} || (dô + mô) || {{lang|as|দ্ম}} dmô
|-
| {{lang|as|হ + ম}} || (hô + mô) || {{lang|as|হ্ম}} hmô
|-
| {{lang|as|ম + ম}} || (mô + mô) || {{lang|as|ম্ম}} mmô
|-
|}

===Digits===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|+ '''Digits'''
|-
! Hindu-Arabic numerals
! 0
! 1
! 2
! 3
! 4
! 5
! 6
! 7
! 8
! 9
! 10
|-
! Assamese numerals
| {{lang|as|০}}
| {{lang|as|১}}
| {{lang|as|২}}
| {{lang|as|৩}}
| {{lang|as|৪}}
| {{lang|as|৫}}
| {{lang|as|৬}}
| {{lang|as|৭}}
| {{lang|as|৮}}
| {{lang|as|৯}}
| {{lang|as|১০}}
|-
! rowspan="2" | Assamese names
| xuinno
| ek
| dui
| tini
| sari
| pas
| soy
| xat
| ath
| no (no')
| doh
|-
| {{lang|as|শূণ্য}}
| {{lang|as|এক}}
| {{lang|as|দুই}}
| {{lang|as|তিনি}}
| {{lang|as|চাৰি}}
| {{lang|as|পাচ}}
| {{lang|as|ছয়}}
| {{lang|as|সাত}}
| {{lang|as|আঠ}}
| {{lang|as|ন, ন'}}
| {{lang|as|দহ}}
|}

==Three distinct variations of Assamese script from the Bengali==
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Assamese unique characters
! Letter !! Name of letter !! Transliteration !! IPA !! Bengali
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" align=center | {{lang|as|ৰ}} ||align=center | rô ||align=center | r || align=center | {{IPA|ɹ}} || – bôesunnô rô
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" align=center | {{lang|as|ৱ}} ||align=center | wô ||align=center | w || align=center | {{IPA|w}} || – (antasthya a)
|-
| style="font-size:125%;" align=center | {{lang|as|ক্ষ}} ||align=center | khyô ||align=center | khy || align=center | {{IPA|kʰj}} || – juktokkhyô
|-
|}
Though {{lang|as|ক্ষ}} is used in Bengali as a conjunct letter. Cha or Chha too has different pronunciation.

==Assamese keyboard layout==
* '''''Inscript keyboard layout:'''''

[[File:Assamese keyboard layout.png|1000px|Assamese keyboard layout (Inscript)]]
* '''''Phonetic keyboard layout:'''''

[[File:Assamese - Phonetic Keyboard Layout.png|1000pxAssamese phonetic keyboard layout]]
* '''''The unique letter identifiers:'''''

''The keyboard locations of three characters unique to the Assamese script are depicted below:''

[[File:Assamese Keyboard layout (three unique alphabet identifiers).png|750pxThe 3 characters identifiers]]
* '''''ITRANS characterisation:'''''

'''''The "Indian languages TRANSliteration" ([[ITRANS]]) the [[ASCII]] [[transliteration]] scheme for [[Indic scripts]] here, Assamese; the characterisations are given below:'''''

{| style="align:left; width:60%;" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto"
|- valign="top"
|
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|Keyboard sequence||Character
|-
|k||{{lang|as|ক্}}
|-
|kh||{{lang|as|খ্}}
|-
|g||{{lang|as|গ্}}
|-
|gh||{{lang|as|ঘ্}}
|-
|~N||{{lang|as|ঙ্}}
|-
|N^||{{lang|as|ঙ্}}
|-
|ch||{{lang|as|চ্}}
|-
|Ch||{{lang|as|ছ্}}
|-
|chh||{{lang|as|ছ্}}
|-
|j||{{lang|as|জ্}}
|-
|jh||{{lang|as|ঝ্}}
|-
|~n||{{lang|as|ঞ্}}
|-
|JN||{{lang|as|ঞ্}}
|-
|T||{{lang|as|ট্}}
|-
|Th||{{lang|as|ঠ্}}
|-
|D||{{lang|as|ড্}}
|-
|Dh||{{lang|as|ঢ্}}
|-
|N||{{lang|as|ণ্}}
|-
|t||{{lang|as|ত্}}
|-
|th||{{lang|as|থ্}}
|-
|d||{{lang|as|দ্}}
|-
|}
|
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|Keyboard sequence||Character
|-
|dh||{{lang|as|ধ্}}
|-
|n||{{lang|as|ন্}}
|-
|p||{{lang|as|প্}}
|-
|ph||{{lang|as|ফ্}}
|-
|b||{{lang|as|ব্}}
|-
|bh||{{lang|as|ভ্}}
|-
|m||{{lang|as|ম্}}
|-
|y||{{lang|as|য্}}
|-
|r||{{lang|as|ৰ্}}
|-
|l||{{lang|as|ল্}}
|-
|v||{{lang|as|ৱ্}}
|-
|w||{{lang|as|ৱ্}}
|-
|sh||{{lang|as|শ্}}
|-
|Sh||{{lang|as|ষ্}}
|-
|shh||{{lang|as|ষ্}}
|-
|s||{{lang|as|স্}}
|-
|h||{{lang|as|হ্}}
|-
|.D||{{lang|as|ড়্}}
|-
|.Dh||{{lang|as|ঢ়্}}
|-
|Y||{{lang|as|য়্}}
|-
|yh||{{lang|as|য়্}}
|-
|}
|
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|Keyboard sequence||Character
|-
|GY||{{lang|as|জ্ঞ্}}
|-
|dny||{{lang|as|জ্ঞ্}}
|-
|x||{{lang|as|ক্ষ্}}
|-
|a||{{lang|as|অ}}
|-
|aa||{{lang|as|আ}}
|-
|A||{{lang|as|আ}}
|-
|i||{{lang|as|ই}}
|-
|ii||{{lang|as|ঈ}}
|-
|I||{{lang|as|ঈ}}
|-
|u||{{lang|as|উ}}
|-
|uu||{{lang|as|ঊ}}
|-
|U||{{lang|as|ঊ}}
|-
|RRi||{{lang|as|ঋ}}
|-
|R^i||{{lang|as|ঋ}}
|-
|LLi||{{lang|as|ঌ}}
|-
|}
|
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|Keyboard sequence||Character
|-
|L^i||{{lang|as|ঌ}}
|-
|e||{{lang|as|এ}}
|-
|ai||{{lang|as|ঐ}}
|-
|o||{{lang|as|ও}}
|-
|au||{{lang|as|ঔ}}
|-
|RRI||{{lang|as|ৠ}}
|-
|R^I||{{lang|as|ৠ}}
|-
|LLI||{{lang|as|ৡ}}
|-
|L^I||{{lang|as|ৡ}}
|-
|.N||{{lang|as|ঁ}}
|-
|.n||{{lang|as|ং}}
|-
|M||{{lang|as|ং}}
|-
|H||{{lang|as|ঃ}}
|-
|.h||{{lang|as|্}}
|-
|}
|
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|Keyboard sequence||Character
|-
|0||{{lang|as|০}}
|-
|1||{{lang|as|১}}
|-
|2||{{lang|as|২}}
|-
|3||{{lang|as|৩}}
|-
|4||{{lang|as|৪}}
|-
|5||{{lang|as|৫}}
|-
|6||{{lang|as|৬}}
|-
|7||{{lang|as|৭}}
|-
|8||{{lang|as|৮}}
|-
|9||{{lang|as|৯}}
|-
|#||{{lang|as|্ৰ}}
|-
|$||{{lang|as|ৰ্}}
|-
|^||{{lang|as|ত্ৰ}}
|-
|*||{{lang|as|শ্ৰ}}
|-
| ||{{lang|as|়}}
|}
|}

== Sample text ==
The following is a sample text in Assamese of Article 1 of the [[Universal Declaration of Human Rights]]:

'''Assamese in [[Assamese alphabet]]'''
:{{lang|as|'''১ম অনুচ্ছেদ:''' জন্মগতভাৱে সকলো মানুহ মৰ্য্যদা আৰু অধিকাৰত সমান আৰু স্বতন্ত্ৰ। তেওঁলোকৰ বিবেক আছে, বুদ্ধি আছে। তেওঁলোকে প্ৰত্যেকে প্ৰেত্যেকক ভ্ৰাতৃভাৱে ব্যৱহাৰ কৰা উচিত।}}<ref>https://www.ohchr.org/EN/UDHR/Documents/UDHR_Translations/asm.pdf</ref>
'''Assamese in WRA Romanisation'''
:'''Prôthôm ônussêd: '''Zônmôgôtôbhawê xôkôlû manuh môrjyôda aru ôdhikarôt xôman aru sôtôntrô. Têû̃lûkôr bibêk asê, buddhi asê. Têû̃lûkê prôittêkê prôittêkôk bhratribhawê byôwôhar kôra usit.

'''Assamese in SRA Romanisation'''
:'''Prothom onussed: '''Jonmogotobhabe xokolü manuh moirjjoda aru odhikarot xoman aru sotontro. Teü̃lükor bibek ase, buddhi ase. Teü̃lüke proitteke proittekok bhratribhawe bebohar kora usit.

'''Assamese in SRA2 Romanisation'''
:'''Prothom onussed: '''Jonmogotovawe xokolu’ manuh morjjoda aru odhikarot xoman aru sotontro. Teulu’kor bibek ase, buddhi ase. Teulu’ke proitteke proittekok vratrivawe bewohar kora usit.

'''Assamese in CCRA Romanisation'''
:'''Prothom onussed: '''Jonmogotobhawe xokolu manuh morjyoda aru odhikarot xoman aru sotontro. Teulukor bibek ase, buddhi ase. Teuluke proitteke proittekok bhratribhawe byowohar kora usit.

'''Assamese in IAST Romanisation'''
:'''Prathama anucchēda: '''Janmagatabhāve sakalo mānuha maryadā āru adhikārata samāna āru svatantra. Tēõlokara bibēka āchē, buddhi āchē. Tēõlokē pratyēkē pratyēkaka bhrātribhāvē byavahāra karā ucita.
'''Assamese in the [[International Phonetic Alphabet]]'''
:{{IPA|/pɹɒtʰɒm ɒnussɛd {{!}} zɒnmɒɡɒtɒbʰaβɛ xɒkɒlʊ manuʱ mɔɪdʑdʑɒda aɹu ɔdʰikaɹɒt xɒman aɹu sɒtɒntɹɒ {{!}}{{!}} tɛʊ̃lʊkɒɹ bibɛk asɛ buddʰi asɛ {{!}}{{!}} tɛʊ̃lʊkɛ pɹɔɪttɛkɛ pɹɔɪttɛkɒk bʰɹatɹibʰaβɛ bɛβɒɦaɹ kɒɹa usit/}}

'''Gloss'''
:'''1st Article:''' Congenitally all human dignity and right-in equal and free. their conscience exists, intellect exists. They everyone everyone-to brotherly behaviour to-do should.

'''Translation'''
:'''Article 1:''' All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience. Therefore, they should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

==Unicode==
{{Main|Bengali (Unicode block)|}}
The [[Eastern Nagari script|Bengali–Assamese script]] was added to the [[Unicode]] Standard in October 1991 with the release of version 1.0.

The Unicode block for Assamese and Bengali is U+0980–U+09FF:

{{Unicode chart Bengali}}

==See also==
* [[Assamese Braille]]
* [[Help:IPA for Assamese]]
* [[Romanisation of Assamese]]

==Hamkh ==
<br />{{reflist}}

==References==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book
 |last=Bora
 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9scvAAAAIAAJ
 |first=Mahendra
 |title=The Evolution of Assamese Script
 |publisher=[[Axom Xahitya Xabha|Assam Sahitya Sabha]]
 |year=1981
 |location=Jorhat, Assam}}
* {{cite book
 | last = Neog
 | first = Maheshwar
 |author-link=Maheswar Neog
 | title = Early History of the Vaishnava Faith and Movement in Assam
 | publisher = Motilal Banarasidass
 | year = 1980
 | location = Delhi
 }}
* {{cite news
 |title=Assamese literature – An overview and historical perspective Linking into broader Indian canvas
 |url=http://www.nenanews.com/OT%20Nov22-Dec6,98/oh14.htm
 |access-date=2012-01-04
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204125953/http://www.nenanews.com/OT%20Nov22-Dec6,98/oh14.htm
 |archive-date=4 February 2012
 |url-status=dead
 }}
* {{cite web
 |title=Assamese writing System
 |url=http://www.omniglot.com/writing/assamese.htm
 |access-date=2007-12-17 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071211235156/http://www.omniglot.com/writing/assamese.htm| archive-date= 11 December 2007 | url-status= live}}
* {{cite news
 |title        = Antiques reveal script link – Inscriptions on 3 copper plates open new line of research
 |publisher    = [[The Telegraph (Kolkata)]]
 |date         = 25 January 2006
 |url          = http://208.223.222.112/1060125/asp/northeast/story_5761957.asp
 |access-date   = 2007-12-17
 |archive-url  = https://archive.is/20110704112944/http://208.223.222.112/1060125/asp/northeast/story_5761957.asp
 |archive-date = 4 July 2011
 |url-status     = dead
 |df           = dmy-all
}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
* [http://www.assam.org/node/2330 Assamese alphabet]
* [https://www.vedamsbooks.com/no17118.htm Madhava Kandali Ramayana]

{{list of writing systems}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Assamese Script}}
[[Category:Assamese language]]
[[Category:Assamese scripts]]