Vai Syllable We

ꗦ represents one Vai syllable, close to “weh.” Its vowel sounds like the “e” in “bed”; the character contributes that whole syllable inside a Vai word.

The Vai script developed in Liberia in the 1830s through the work of several Vai speakers; Bukele is credited as its chief promoter. Samples collected in 1834 are among the earliest surviving evidence of the script.

Manuscript forms varied before the 1962 Vai Standard Syllabary provided a reference form. As of 2026, Vai is learned informally and used chiefly for correspondence and record-keeping. Proposed influence from Latin, Arabic, and Cherokee remains disputed; the Mende Kikakui script is also thought to have been influenced by Vai.

How do I type ꗦ?

Use a Vai input method or keyboard. A transliteration layout maps Latin-keyboard input to Vai syllables, so you can enter this character without a Vai-specific physical keyboard.

A 2026 MediaWiki guide documents a browser-based desktop layout. On mobile, the keyboard itself must support Vai.

Why does ꗦ show as a box?

The font or system lacks Vai support. A blank, question mark, or outlined box is a missing-character marker, not a different spelling.

Choose a font with Vai coverage to display the character.