Independent Vowel Scripts

This lesson introduces six independent vowel symbols that cannot be combined with the consonants. They are traditionally known as akkhâya {Ak(ra}meaning "alphabet." 

I

The sound of this script, spelled as "akkhâya í", is [í], the same as the normal script {Ai}. I can be found only in the loanwords from Sanskrit or Pali, e.g., {Iriya} meaning "posture." 

^

The sound of this script, spelled as "akkhâya i", is [i], the same as the normal script {AI}.. ^ is most commonly used for the Burmese literary version of the word  {dI}"this."

V
The sound of this script, spelled as "akkhâya ú", is [ú], the same as the normal script {V}. It is mostly used for the word (V) meaning "egg." 

VI 

The sound of this script is [u], the same as the normal script {AU}. It is rarely used except in few words like {AeSak\AVI} meaning "equipment." {VI;} with high falling tone, however, is frequently used as a prefix to the names of adult men. 

/

This script is read [e] with level tone or [è] with high tone. It is most commonly found in the loan words from Pali, e.g., {/ram}meaning "big." 
 

~q 

This script is read `aw. It is most commonly used in the loan words from Pali, e.g.,{~qwfd}meaning "instruction." 
The level tone of this vowel is written {e~qa\}for one and only word meaning "Oh," which is now mostly written eAa\ .