Yi Syllable Ddu

It writes the Liangshan Yi syllable transcribed as ddu. Each sign in this syllabary represents one spoken syllable, but ꅍ alone has no dependable English translation.

In documented Liangshan phrases, ꅍ appears in words translated as “agricultural implement” and “toothbrush,” and in a phrase meaning “quiet and peaceful.” Those translations belong to the complete Yi words or phrase.

The Liangshan standard grew from varied Yi writing

Traditional Yi writing varied among local communities and was kept mainly by ritual specialists called bimo. They used it for religious texts, legends, history, medicine, and astrology. The oldest securely dated surviving inscription is on a bronze bell from 1485; many manuscripts are undated and may be older.

The standardized Liangshan syllabary was devised in 1974 and officially promulgated in 1980. It then appeared in literacy materials, newspapers, books, and schooling.

This standard represents Liangshan Yi, not every Yi variety. Older Yi writing also used ideographic signs, and accounts differ about its relationship to Chinese character models.

How do I type ꅍ?

Use a Nuosu/Yi phonetic keyboard and enter ddu. Select the matching Liangshan syllable. In an app with Unicode entry, enter U+A14D.

Modern standardized Yi normally runs left to right; older Yi material may be vertical or right to left. A different layout does not by itself identify a different character.