In previous lesson we have learnt symbols for vowels and consonants in Gujarati script.
Like in any language vowels can be added to consonants to create combined sound.
In English we just right letters one after other; and depending on the word we say them together.
e.g.
meat ; bit ; hat. Here “ea”,”i”,”a” are pronounced along with preceding consonant.
In Gujarati we do not write vowels as it is when they are to be combined with consonant. There are different symbols for each vowel, which is added to consonant symbol to indicate combined sound
There are twelve main vowels. Hence this chart is called Barakhadi/Barakshari; where “Bar” means twelve.
1) Adding અ(a) to consonant has no effect. So there is no change in symbol
In this blog it is denoted as small a i.e. “a”
2) Adding આ(A) to consonant is denoted by extra vertical line.
e.g. This vertical line is called કાનો (kAno )
In this blog it is denoted as capital a i.e. “A”
3) Adding ઇ(i) to consonant is denoted by extra vertical line and a curve BEFORE consonant.
In this blog it is denoted as small i i.e. “i”
4) Adding ઈ(I) to consonant is denoted by extra vertical line and a curve AFTER consonant
In this blog it is denoted as capital i i.e. “I”
5) Adding ઉ(u) to consonant is denoted by a curve below consonant. Curve is pointing to left
In this blog it is denoted as small u i.e. “u”
6) Adding ઊ(U) to consonant is denoted by a curve below consonant. Curve is pointing to right.
In this blog it is denoted as capital u i.e. “U”
7) Adding એ(e) to consonant is denoted by a slanting line above consonant.
This slanting line is called માત્રા(mAtrA)
In this blog it is denoted as small e i.e. “e”
8) Adding ઐ(ai) to consonant is denoted by a TWO slanting lines above consonant.
These slanting lines are called બે માત્રા(be mAtrA). Where બે(be) means two.
In this blog it is denoted as “ai”
Note for native Hindi speakers :- Pronunciation of double matra is different in Hindi and Gujarati.
9) Adding ઓ(o) to consonant is denoted by a vertical line after consonant along with one slanting line above consonant. e.g.one કાનો (kAno) and one માત્રા(mAtrA)
In this blog it is denoted as small o i.e. “o”
10) Adding ઔ(au) to consonant is denoted by a vertical line after consonant along with TWO slanting lines above consonant. e.g.one કાનો(kAno) and two માત્રા(mAtrA)
In this blog it is denoted as “au”
Note for native Hindi speakers :- Pronunciation of double matra is different in Hindi and Gujarati.
11) Adding અં (aM) to consonant is denoted by a giving a dot on consonant.
In this blog it is denoted as capital m “M”
Fore more details on pronunciation of anusvar refer
http://learn-gujarati-from-english.blogspot.com/2013/11/pronunciation-of-anusvar-in-gujarati.html
12) Adding અઃ(aH) to consonant is denoted by a two dots after consonant.
In this blog it is denoted as capital h i.e. “H”
13) When you want to say a consonant just half it is denoted by giving a slanting line below consonant
બ્
14) Adding non traditional vowels ઍ(~e) is denoted by giving crescent like symbol above consonant.
બ(b) + ઍ(~e) = બૅ (b~e)
In this blog it is denoted as “~e”
This sound is similar to pronunciation of words “cat”, “bat” in English. So they will be written as કૅટ (k~eT), બૅટ (b~eT).
15) Adding non traditional vowels ઑ(~o) is denoted by giving crescent like symbol above consonant along with one vertical line after consonant
બ(b) + ઑ(~o) = બૉ (b~o)
In this blog it is denoted as “~o”
This sound is similar to pronunciation of words “spot”, “lot” in English. So they will be written as સ્પૉટ(sp~oT), લૉટ (l~oT)
As last two vowels are nontraditional vowels you will find that sometimes they not used writing and speaking. Instead the vowels એ(e) and ઓ(o) are used respectively. So such words are written and pronounced as
Cat -> કેટ(keT), Bat -> બેટ(beT), Spot -> સ્પોટ(spoT), Lot -> લોટ(loT) etc.
Listen about these vowels at
Pronunciation of non traditional Gujarati vowels ઍ ઑ
So Barakhadi/Barakshari for all consonants will be
ક કા કિ કી કુ કૂ કે કૈ કો કૌ કં કઃ કૅ કૉ
ખ ખા ખિ ખી ખુ ખૂ ખે ખૈ ખો ખૌ ખં ખઃ ખૅ ખૉ