Hindi Vowel Symbols Quiz

Hindi Vowels: Understanding Vowel Symbols in the Hindi Script

Hindi, a major language in the Indian subcontinent, has a distinct set of vowels, represented by specific symbols in the Devanagari script. The Hindi language is known for its symmetrical ten-vowel system, which includes both short and long vowels, as well as an eleventh vowel found in English loanwords.

Vowel Symbols

The vowels in Hindi are represented by the following symbols:

• Close front vowels: [i], [iː]
• Close central vowel: [aː] or [ɑː]
• Close-mid front vowels: [eː]
• Open-mid front vowel: [ɛː]
• Open central vowel: [ə]
• Open-mid back vowels: [oː]
• Open back vowels: [ɔː]
• Diphthongs: [aɪ], [aʊ]

These symbols are used to represent the different vowel sounds in Hindi. The vowels are categorized based on their position in the mouth, with close vowels being produced closer to the front of the mouth, and open vowels being produced farther back in the mouth. Additionally, the vowels are classified as short or long, with long vowels being considered tense.

Vowel [ə]

The vowel [ə] is often realized more open than mid, i.e., as near-open [ɐ]. It is subject to schwa deletion word-medially in certain contexts. The symbol for [ə] in Devanagari script is "अ".

Vowel [aː]

The open central vowel is transcribed in IPA by either [aː] or [ɑː]. In Urdu, there is a short [a] (spelled ہ, as in کمرہ kəmra) in word-final position, which contrasts with [aː] (spelled ا, as in لڑکا laṛkā). This contrast is often not realized by Urdu speakers and is always neutralized in Hindi.

Vowels [ɪ], [ʊ], [iː], [uː]

Among the close vowels, [ɪ], [ʊ], [iː], and [uː] are used to represent the sounds of the English vowels 'i', 'u', 'ee', and 'oo' respectively.

Diphthongs [aɪ] and [aʊ]

The diphthongs [aɪ] and [aʊ] are realizations of /ɛː/ and /oː/ in some dialects.

Vowel Modifiers

In addition to the vowels, there are two vowel modifiers represented by the symbols "ि" and "ु" in Devanagari script. These modifiers are used to indicate the aspiration of the preceding consonant, as in the Hindi word "फ़ोन" (fon) which is pronounced as "phoːn".

In summary, the vowel symbols in Hindi script represent a wide range of sounds, from close front vowels to open back vowels, including diphthongs and vowel modifiers. These symbols are crucial in accurately transcribing and pronouncing words in the Hindi language.