Independent Vowels
Independent vowels are non-diacritical characters that stand alone (i.e. without being attached to a consonant symbol) used to represent vowel phonemes occurring at the beginning of syllables. In Khmer they are called ស្រៈពេញតួ (/sraʔ peɲtuə/) which means "complete vowels". The independent vowels are used in a small number of words, mostly of Indic origin, and consequently there is some inconsistency in their use and pronunciations. However, a few words in which they occur are used quite frequently: ឥឡូវ (/ʔəjləw/ "now"), ឪពុក (/ʔəwpuk/ "father"), ឬ (/ʔrɨː/ ~ /rɨː/ "or").
| Independent vowels |
UN romanization | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ឥ | ĕ | ʔe |
| ឦ | ei | ʔəj |
| ឧ | ŏ | ʔ |
| ឨ | ||
| ឩ | ŭ | ʔu |
| ឪ | ŏu | ʔɨw |
| ឫ | rœ̆ | ʔrɨ |
| ឬ | rœ | ʔrɨː |
| ឭ | lœ̆ | ʔlɨ |
| ឮ | lœ | ʔlɨː |
| ឯ | é | ʔae; ʔɛː,ʔeː |
| ឰ | ai | ʔaj |
| ឱ, ឲ | aô, aôy | ʔaːo |
| ឳ | âu | ʔaw |
Read more about this topic: Khmer Script
Famous quotes containing the words independent and/or vowels:
“The ability to secure an independent livelihood and honorable employ suited to her education and capacities is the only true foundation of the social elevation of woman, even in the very highest classes of society. While she continues to be educated only to be somebody’s wife, and is left without any aim in life till that somebody either in love, or in pity, or in selfish regard at last grants her the opportunity, she can never be truly independent.”
—Catherine E. Beecher (1800–1878)
“These equal syllables alone require,
Though oft the ear the open vowels tire;”
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744)