Yi syllable Bup

ꀯ writes one Nuosu syllable, not a complete word.

Nuosu is a Yi language. In its romanization, bup labels this syllable, and the final p marks a low-falling tone rather than an extra consonant. The same syllable can occur in different words, so translate the full Nuosu word around it.

How did Yi writing develop?

Yi writing predates the modern standard by centuries. A text inscribed on a bronze bell is dated to 1485. That date belongs to the inscription; this character belongs to the later standardized syllabary.

Bimo, ritual specialists in Yi communities, used local writing traditions for religious, magical, medical, and genealogical texts. The standardized Liangshan Nuosu system took shape in the 1970s and was officially promulgated in 1980. It drew on older Yi writing while standardizing syllabic forms for literacy and schooling; its books also included rural guides and adult arithmetic texts. It represents one Yi writing tradition, not every Yi language or local tradition.

How do I type ꀯ?

On Windows, enter bup in the Yi IME and select ꀯ.

Microsoft's Windows Yi IME documentation dated 2024-06-20 describes romanized syllable entry, a candidate list, and confirmation with Enter or Space. A direct Yi keyboard layout, such as SIL's, can map standardized Yi syllables to keys; a font with Yi coverage is needed for the glyph to display.