Tifinagh labialization mark

It rounds the pronunciation of the consonant before it.

Tifinagh is an alphabet used for Amazigh (Berber) languages. The labialization mark ⵯ, also called tamatart or a labio-velarization mark, follows a base letter: ⴳⵯ writes a rounded-lip g, and ⴽⵯ a rounded-lip k. In Latin-letter transcriptions these are gʷ and kʷ; the raised w marks the rounding.

Is ⵯ an ancient Tifinagh sign?

The wider script is ancient; this mark’s early history is unsettled.

Tifinagh belongs to an evolving family of Amazigh writing forms, with ancient Libyco-Berber inscriptions among its roots. The broader script’s origin is debated; one study argues for development around the 6th century BCE.

A Tifinagh technical note dated 26 March 2025 lists ⵯ in some modern orthographies and covers distinct profiles such as Kabyle, Tarifit, Tachelhit, Central Atlas Tamazight, and Siwi. It does not document every ancient variant, so the mark’s modern spelling role does not establish when it first appeared.

How do I type ⵯ?

Enter it after the consonant it modifies.

With a Tifinagh keyboard or character picker that exposes the mark, enter the base consonant first, then ⵯ. A spelling that needs labialization uses both characters in that order.