Deseret Small Letter Esh

𐑇 represents the “sh” sound in “ship.” In Deseret spelling, one letter takes the place of the two Latin letters sh. Alone, it names or demonstrates that sound.

The letter was created as part of an English spelling reform. A Board of Regents project was considered in 1850, a committee took up the design in 1853, and later revisions produced the 38-letter printed form used in 1868–69. Brigham Young and the regents sought more regular spelling for children and immigrant converts, linking easier communication to their vision of a unified Zion society.

The project had a historical connection to Isaac Pitman’s phonetic-spelling movement. George D. Watt brought experience with Pitman’s systems to the project, which developed its own letter shapes. Deseret appeared in primers, newspaper passages, signs, journals, and scripture before largely falling out of use after Young’s death in 1877.

What does it mean if someone sends 𐑇 alone?

Read it as a letter sample or a reference to Deseret writing. The sender may be identifying the character, checking how it displays, or discussing Deseret spelling.

In a longer Deseret text, read it where English spelling would use sh. Historical publications included pronunciation keys and presented the alphabet as a public spelling reform, though some outside observers interpreted the unfamiliar writing as concealment.