Tamil, a Dravidian language, is predominantly spoken in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka. Tamil has its own unique script, which is non-linear and syllabic. It is one of the oldest and rich literary traditions in the world.

Overview of the Tamil Alphabet

• Script Type: Abugida, where consonants come with an inherent vowel sound that can be altered with diacritics.
• Number of Letters: 12 vowels, 18 consonants, and one special character (ஃ – ‘Aytham’). Additionally, there are 216 compound letters (consonant-vowel combinations) and 18 consonant clusters.
• Unique Features: No distinction between uppercase and lowercase letters.

Detailed Breakdown of the Tamil Alphabet

Vowels (உயிரெழுத்து – Uyirezhuthu)

The Tamil script has 12 vowels, each with a distinct pronunciation.

1. அ (A)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘a’ in “about.”
   • Example Word: “அம்மா” (Amma) – meaning “Mother”

2. ஆ (Ā)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘a’ in “father.”
   • Example Word: “ஆமை” (Āmai) – meaning “Tortoise”

3. இ (I)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘i’ in “hit.”
   • Example Word: “இலை” (Ilai) – meaning “Leaf”

4. ஈ (Ī)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘ee’ in “see.”
   • Example Word: “ஈரம்” (Īram) – meaning “Moisture”

5. உ (U)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘u’ in “pull.”
   • Example Word: “உலகம்” (Ulagam) – meaning “World”

6. ஊ (Ū)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘oo’ in “cool.”
   • Example Word: “ஊதா” (Ūdhā) – meaning “Purple”

7. எ (E)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘e’ in “bed.”
   • Example Word: “எலி” (Eli) – meaning “Rat”

8. ஏ (Ē)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘ay’ in “say.”
   • Example Word: “ஏணி” (Ēṇi) – meaning “Ladder”

9. ஐ (Ai)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘i’ in “ice.”
   • Example Word: “ஐந்து” (Aindhu) – meaning “Five”

10. ஒ (O)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘o’ in “orange.”
    • Example Word: “ஒளி” (Oḷi) – meaning “Light”

11. ஓ (Ō)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘o’ in “go.”
    • Example Word: “ஓடம்” (Ōdam) – meaning “Boat”

12. ஔ (Au)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘ou’ in “house.”
    • Example Word: “ஔவையார்” (Auvaiyār) – name of a famous Tamil poetess

Consonants (மெய்யெழுத்து – Meyyezhuthu)

Tamil has 18 consonants that are used to form syllables in combination with vowels.

1. க் (Ka)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘k’ in “kite.”
   • Example Word: “கண்” (Kaṇ) – meaning “Eye”

2. ங் (Nga)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘ng’ in “sing.”
   • Example Word: “ங்கௌ” (Ṅgau) – A part of a classical Tamil grammar concept

3. ச் (Ca)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘ch’ in “church.”
   • Example Word: “சமையல்” (Camaiyal) – meaning “Cooking”

4. ஞ் (Nya)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘ñ’ in Spanish “niño.”
   • Example Word: “ஞாயிறு” (Ñāyiru) – meaning “Sunday”

5. ட் (Ta)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘t’ in “stand.”
   • Example Word: “டம்ளர்” (Ṭamlar) – meaning “Tumbler”

6. ண் (Na)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘n’ in “fun.”
   • Example Word: “ணாணயம்” (Ṇāṇayam) – meaning “Coin”

7. த் (Tha)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘th’ in “thanks.”
   • Example Word: “தமிழ்” (Tamizh) – meaning “Tamil”

8. ந் (Na)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘n’ in “no.”
   • Example Word: “நந்து” (Nandhu) – meaning “Crab”

9. ப் (Pa)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘p’ in “spit.”
   • Example Word: “பாம்பு” (Pāmbu) – meaning “Snake”

10. ம் (Ma)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘m’ in “man.”
    • Example Word: “மலர்” (Malar) – meaning “Flower”

11. ய் (Ya)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘y’ in “yes.”
    • Example Word: “யானை” (Yāṉai) – meaning “Elephant”

12. ர் (Ra)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘r’ in “run.”
    • Example Word: “ராமர்” (Rāmar) – a historical figure

13. ல் (La)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘l’ in “love.”
    • Example Word: “லட்சம்” (Lacham) – meaning “Hundred Thousand”

14. வ் (Va)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘v’ in “victory.”
    • Example Word: “வான்” (Vān) – meaning “Sky”

15. ழ் (Zha)

    • Pronunciation: Unique to Tamil, similar to ‘l’ pronounced with the tip of the tongue curled back.
    • Example Word: “ழகரம்” (Ẓhagaram) – meaning “The letter ழ்”

16. ள் (La)

    • Pronunciation: Similar to ‘l’ in “almond,” pronounced with the tongue touching the roof of the mouth.
    • Example Word: “ளவு” (Ḷavu) – meaning “Lavu”

17. ற் (Ra)

    • Pronunciation: A rolled ‘r,’ pronounced with a single tap of the tongue against the roof of the mouth.
    • Example Word: “றோய்” (Ṛōy) – a unique Tamil character

18. ன் (N)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘n’ in “canyon.”
    • Example Word: “னை” (Nai) – meaning “Dog”

Consonant Clusters (குறில், நெடில் – Kuril, Nedil)

Consonant clusters are formed by combining consonants with vowels or diacritics.

1. க்ஷ் (Kṣa)

   • Example Word: “க்ஷேத்திரம்” (Kṣētthiram) – “Field”

2. ஸ்ரீ (Srī)

   • Example Word: “ஸ்ரீலங்கா” (Srīlaṅkā) – “Sri Lanka”

Special Character

• ஃ (Aytham)
  • Usage: Used in various contexts, often to represent sounds not native to Tamil.
  • Example Word: “ஃபோன்” (Ḥōṉ) – “Phone”

Pronunciation Tips

• Vowel Length: The length of a vowel can change the meaning of a word.
• Consonant-Vowel Blending: Consonants and vowels blend seamlessly, creating distinct syllables.
• Nasal Sounds: Pay attention to nasal consonants, which are significant in Tamil.

Practice Exercises

• Listening and Speaking: Engage with native speakers or audio resources to practice pronunciation.
• Writing Practice: Write down each character and practice forming words and syllables.
• Reading Practice: Begin with simple texts, like children’s books or short stories, to get familiar with the script.

Additional Resources

• Language Learning Apps: Explore apps that offer Tamil language courses.
• Online Tutorials: Websites and YouTube channels may provide lessons in Tamil.
• Language Exchange: Practicing with native speakers can significantly improve conversational skills.

Conclusion

Learning the Tamil alphabet is a fundamental step toward fluency. Regular practice in speaking, listening, reading, and writing will help you appreciate the richness and depth of the Tamil language and culture.