What is the pinthu (຺) sign in Lao?
The pinthu (virama) sign removes the inherent 'a' vowel from a consonant, showing it in its pure form. For example: ກ (ka) becomes ກ຺ (k) with pinthu. This is essential for creating consonant clusters and writing words correctly.
How do Lao consonants work?
Lao consonants exist in their pure form (e.g., ກ຺ = 'k') but are pronounced with an inherent 'a' vowel sound (e.g., ກ = 'ka'). This is a fundamental characteristic of Indic scripts. The pinthu sign removes this inherent vowel.
What are the Lao tone marks?
Lao uses four tone marks: ່ (mai ek), ້ (mai tho), ໊ (mai tri), and ໋ (mai chattawa). These marks indicate the tone of a syllable, which is crucial for correct pronunciation and meaning in Lao.
How do I use the phonetic filters?
Use the phonetic filters to find consonants by their pronunciation characteristics. Filter by place of articulation (where the sound is made), manner of articulation (how the sound is made), and voicing (whether vocal cords vibrate).