Limbu letter ya

It writes the y sound at the start of a Limbu syllable.

Think of the first sound in English yes. In modern Limbu, a consonant has a built-in vowel—roughly like the open o in English thought, in accents that distinguish it—unless a vowel sign follows. ᤕ is the full initial letter; ᤩ is a subjoined medial-y form used after another consonant.

How did the Limbu script take shape?

Its present form emerged through a revival.

A Limbu alphabet book survives from the early 18th century, and Limbu writings were collected in the 1850s. The modern script took shape in Kalimpong in 1925 and was revised in the 1970s.

Limbu writing also supported Yuma religious teaching in the 1700s. Later publications include lessons, ritual texts, songs, poetry, novels, histories, and school materials in Sikkim and Nepal. The script belongs to the Brahmic family, a broad South Asian writing tradition; Limbu’s language is distantly related to Lepcha and Tibetan, though their scripts are distinct.

How do I type ᤕ in Limbu?

Use a Limbu keyboard, then enter the vowel sign after ᤕ.

In text order, ᤕ comes before its vowel sign, even if shaping places the sign above or around it. Font design or a historical script form can change its outline; missing font support can leave a blank or placeholder.