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Warang Citi
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The Warang Citi script, also referred to as Varang Kshiti or Barang Kshiti,[1] IPA: /wɐrɐŋ ʧɪt̪ɪ/), represents a noteworthy writing system devised by Lako Bodra specifically for the Ho language, prevalent in East India. This script has found utility in both primary and adult education, and its influence extends to various publications.
It's important to note that the adoption of Warang Citi is more pronounced among the easternmost cluster of Ho language speakers, particularly those who have received formal education in its usage. While a significant portion of speakers still opt for the oral transmission of knowledge or favor scripts like Devanagari or Latin, Warang Citi maintains its prestige and significance within the Ho-speaking community. This underscores its pivotal role in preserving and promoting the Ho language and culture in the region.
History[edit]
Community leader Lako Bodra invented it as an alternative to the writing systems devised by Christian missionaries. According to Bodra, this alphabet has roots tracing back to the 13th century, attributed to Deowan Turi. Bodra asserts that the script was rediscovered through a shamanistic vision and subsequently modernized.
Characters[edit]
It is written from left to right in horizontal lines.
Warang Citi is quite distinct from other writing systems of India, and it has features of an abugida and an alphabet.[1] As in Brahmic abugidas, consonant letters have an inherent vowel, usually /a/ or /ɔ/ but sometimes /ɛ/. The inherent vowel is not pronounced at the end of the word. Unlike in Brahmic abugidas, and more like in an alphabet, the full vowel letters are always written after the consonant, letters usually don't form ligatures, and there is no virama character.
It follows capitalization rules as are done in English and follows English punctuation. There are few ligatures that combine to form new sounds, and there are conjunct consonants that are used as well by stacking in some cases.
The script begins with the letter Ong, which corresponds to Om in other Brahmic scripts. It has 32 letters in total with capital and small letters.
| Capital letter | Small letter | Name | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| 𑣿 | Ong | om | |
| 𑢠 | 𑣀 | Ngaa | ṃ, ŋ (nasalisation) |
| 𑢡 | 𑣁 | A | a |
| 𑢢 | 𑣂 | Wi | i |
| 𑢣 | 𑣃 | Yu | u |
| 𑢤 | 𑣄 | Ya | ʔ (glottal stop) |
| 𑢥 | 𑣅 | Yo | y |
| 𑢦 | 𑣆 | Ii | ī |
| 𑢧 | 𑣇 | Uu | ū |
| 𑢨 | 𑣈 | E | e |
| 𑢩 | 𑣉 | O | o |
| 𑢪 | 𑣊 | Ang | ṅ |
| 𑢫 | 𑣋 | Ga | g |
| 𑢬 | 𑣌 | Ko | k |
| 𑢭 | 𑣍 | Eny | ñ |
| 𑢮 | 𑣎 | Yuj | j |
| 𑢯 | 𑣏 | Uc | c |
| 𑢰 | 𑣐 | Enn | ṇ |
| 𑢱 | 𑣑 | Odd | ḍ |
| 𑢲 | 𑣒 | Tte | ṭ |
| 𑢳 | 𑣓 | Nung | n |
| 𑢴 | 𑣔 | Da | d |
| 𑢵 | 𑣕 | At | t |
| 𑢶 | 𑣖 | Am | m |
| 𑢷 | 𑣗 | Bu | b |
| 𑢸 | 𑣘 | Pu | p |
| 𑢹 | 𑣙 | Hiyo | h |
| 𑢺 | 𑣚 | Holo | l |
| 𑢻 | 𑣛 | Horr | ṛ |
| 𑢼 | 𑣜 | Har | r |
| 𑢽 | 𑣝 | Ssuu | ṣ |
| 𑢾 | 𑣞 | Sii | s |
| 𑢿 | 𑣟 | (Viyo) | ligature of
𑢡 (a) and 𑢹 (hiyo) |
Warang Citi uses its own set of numerals. The digits are used in modern writing, whereas signs for numbers above 9 are falling into disuse.
| 𑣠 | 0 |
| 𑣡 | 1 |
| 𑣢 | 2 |
| 𑣣 | 3 |
| 𑣤 | 4 |
| 𑣥 | 5 |
| 𑣦 | 6 |
| 𑣧 | 7 |
| 𑣨 | 8 |
| 𑣩 | 9 |
| 𑣪 | 10 |
| 𑣫 | 20 |
| 𑣬 | 30 |
| 𑣭 | 40 |
| 𑣮 | 50 |
| 𑣯 | 60 |
| 𑣰 | 70 |
| 𑣱 | 80 |
| 𑣲 | 90 |
Unicode[edit]
Warang Citi was added to the Unicode Standard in June 2014 with the release of version 7.0.
The Unicode block for Warang Citi is U+118A0–U+118FF. Grey areas indicate non-assigned code points:
Template:Unicode chart Warang Citi
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Everson, Michael (2012-04-19). "N4259: Final proposal for encoding the Warang Citi script in the SMP of the UCS" (PDF). Retrieved 2016-08-20.