Gurmukhi Vowels (Laga Matra) Illustrated

Gurmukhi Laga Matra - Vowels and Vowel Holders

The Gurmukhi script of Gurbani is identical to the Punjabi alphabet with three vowel holders, two nasalization characters and 10 vowels. The vowel holders are grouped with the Gurmukhi script alphabet 35 akhar, or consonants. The vowel known as "mukta," meaning "liberation" has no symbol, yet is pronounced between each and every consonant wherever no other vowel is present. Each vowel character represents a single phonetic sound. Vowels are used in combination to produce additional vowel sounds. The vowel holders are used where there is no consonant between vowel sounds. Vowel symbols are noted above, below, or to either side of consonants, or their respective vowel holders. Gurmukhi is a poetic language. Vowels have either short or long sounds, the latter are held stressing a double count, or beat. Gurmukhi language is tonal having a low, high and mid range inflection which has no written indicator and must be heard aloud to be learned.