Yi syllable dex

ꄑ writes one syllable in Liangshan Yi.

The standard Liangshan Yi romanization—a way to write the language with Latin letters—spells this syllable dex. The final x marks the secondary high tone, one of the pitch patterns that distinguishes syllables.

Traditional Yi writing had regional forms. Bimo, Yi ritual specialists, used it for religious, magical, medical, and family-history texts. An inscribed bronze bell from 1485 is the oldest securely dated surviving Yi-script example. The standardized Liangshan form was devised in 1974 and officially promulgated in 1980 to improve literacy. It draws on older local traditions called Cuan and Wei, but is for Liangshan Yi rather than all Yi varieties.

How do I type ꄑ?

Use a Yi input method and choose the matching syllable.

As of 2024-06-20, Microsoft documents a Windows Yi input method that accepts phonetic entry on a regular keyboard and offers Yi-character candidates. Enter dex, select ꄑ, and confirm; exact keystrokes depend on the installed input method.

Why does ꄑ show as a box?

The active font needs Yi syllable coverage.

A missing Yi glyph can appear as a box even when the character data is intact. As of 2026-10-08, Nuosu SIL and Noto Sans Yi document Yi syllabary coverage. Switching to a Yi-capable font changes how ꄑ is drawn, not which character it is.