Baybayin [/baɪbaˈjɪn/] means "to write" or "to spell" in Tagalog [1]. It is a Philippines script derived from Brahmic script of India [2]. It was used widely to write Tagalog language prior and during the 16th and 17th centuries before the adoption of Latin alphabet [3].
Learning the basics of Baybayin is easy especially if you understand Tagalog or Filipino language. The modern Baybayin alphabet consists of 18 characters [4]. Let's start with vowels.
Baybayin Vowels
There are 3 independent vowels and 2 dependent vowels. They are:
Independent Vowels Using Baybayin Alphabet:
ᜀ
[a]
ᜁ
[i]
ᜂ
[u]
Dependent Vowels Using Baybayin Alphabet:
◌ᜒ
[i]
◌ᜓᜒ
[u]
Baybayin Consonants
The consonants are pronounced with a vowel "a" following it. They are as below:
Consonants Using Baybayin Alphabet:
ᜃ
[ka]
ᜄ
[ga]
ᜅ
[nga]
ᜆ
[ta]
ᜇ
[da]
ᜈ
[na]
ᜉ
[pa]
ᜊ
[ba]
ᜋ
[ma]
ᜌ
[ya]
ᜎ
[la]
ᜏ
[wa]
ᜐ
[sa]
ᜑ
[ha]
Baybayin Numerals
0
[zero]
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
.
Interesting Facts about Baybayin Language
Baybayin at a glance
| Pronunciation: | [baɪbaˈjɪn] |
| Script type: | Abugida |
| Time Period: | 13th Century (or older), 18th century (revived in modern times) |
| Languages: | Tagalog, Sambali, LLocano, Kapampangan, Bikolano, Pangasinense, Bisayan languages |
A Complete Baybayin Alphabet Chart
Below is a list of complete Baybayin Alphabets Chart
Independent Vowels Using Baybayin Alphabet:
ᜀ
[a]
ᜁ
[i]
ᜂ
[u]
Dependent Vowels Using Baybayin Alphabet:
◌ᜒ
[i]
◌ᜓᜒ
[u]
Consonants Using Baybayin Alphabet:
ᜃ
[ka]
ᜄ
[ga]
ᜅ
[nga]
ᜆ
[ta]
ᜇ
[da]
ᜈ
[na]
ᜉ
[pa]
ᜊ
[ba]
ᜋ
[ma]
ᜌ
[ya]
ᜎ
[la]
ᜏ
[wa]
ᜐ
[sa]
ᜑ
[ha]
Digit:
0
[zero]
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
.
Special Characters:
/
//
.
References:
- [1] Postma, Antoon. "The Laguna Copperplate Inscription: Text and Commentary". Philippine Studies. 1992. pp. 183-203.
- [2] Kuipers, Joel C. and Ray McDermott. "Insular Southeast Asian Scripts". Handbook of Scripts and Alphabets. 1996. pp. 474-484.
- [3] Scott, William Henry. "Prehispanic Source Materials for the Study of Philippine History". New Day Publishers. 1984. pp. 78-102.
- [4] Francisco, Juan R. "Philippine Palaeography". Linguistic Society of the Philippines. 1973. pp. 56-78.
- [5] Diringer, David. "The Alphabet: A Key to the History of Mankind". Philosophical Library. 1948. pp. 345-367.
- [6] Santos, Hector. "Baybayin: The Ancient Script of the Philippines". Paul & Mark Publishing. 2010. pp. 23-45.
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