So you want to learn Tibetan... Let's start with the alphabet. If you would just like a translation, please follow the instructions at the bottom of this page.
The Alphabet
Consonants
The Tibetan alphabet is derived from the ancient Brahmi script - so one can see similarities to the Indian alphabets. There are actually two different styles of the Tibetan script. The one presented here is dbu can (u-chen) or headed writing. This is most commonly found in print - that is in newspapers, books, etc. and electronic format. Here are the consonants called gsal byed (sal je). If you noticed, each Tibetan term I've already presented is written, and then something ap pears in parentheses. The letters are shown with the Wylie transcription - this is, just a representation of the Tibetan letters in the Roman (English) script - this shows EXACTLY how the Tibetan word is spelled in Tibetan writing. This system is derived from a certain Tibetan dialect - but does not reflect the most common pronounciation (Lhasa Tibetan). Such a difference appears between the two since many of the Tibetan letters can also be used to mark tone, change a vowel sound, or even change the sound of another consonant. So, I suggest learning the Wylie transcription scheme so you can write transcribed words in the native Tibetan. Then, learn the pronunciation that will be shown later so you can actually speak and read aloud the language. You may notice each letter is followed by a small dot - this represents the end of a syllable. Each letter has "a" inherently as its vowel, which can be changed by vowels given below this chart. Remember - these English equivalents are just for transcription - not pronounciation https://tenzingwangmo.blogspot.com
The Alphabet
Consonants
The Tibetan alphabet is derived from the ancient Brahmi script - so one can see similarities to the Indian alphabets. There are actually two different styles of the Tibetan script. The one presented here is dbu can (u-chen) or headed writing. This is most commonly found in print - that is in newspapers, books, etc. and electronic format. Here are the consonants called gsal byed (sal je). If you noticed, each Tibetan term I've already presented is written, and then something ap pears in parentheses. The letters are shown with the Wylie transcription - this is, just a representation of the Tibetan letters in the Roman (English) script - this shows EXACTLY how the Tibetan word is spelled in Tibetan writing. This system is derived from a certain Tibetan dialect - but does not reflect the most common pronounciation (Lhasa Tibetan). Such a difference appears between the two since many of the Tibetan letters can also be used to mark tone, change a vowel sound, or even change the sound of another consonant. So, I suggest learning the Wylie transcription scheme so you can write transcribed words in the native Tibetan. Then, learn the pronunciation that will be shown later so you can actually speak and read aloud the language. You may notice each letter is followed by a small dot - this represents the end of a syllable. Each letter has "a" inherently as its vowel, which can be changed by vowels given below this chart. Remember - these English equivalents are just for transcription - not pronounciation https://tenzingwangmo.blogspot.com
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