ਅ, ਸ and ਹ of Gurbani

The 35 akhar of Gurbani contains three vowels and 32 akhar or consonants. We have discussed the ਓ and ਅ vowels before, and we will continue with the rest that follows. ੲ is number three among the vowels and it works in the same place as the other vowel holders in Paintee alphabet of Punjabi. It is pronounced by emphasizing the syllables that come on second letters so that you say it as err-raw or era. To make use of it, you should place it before a word that lacks a vowel sound at the beginning. Romanising it will bring a slight difference sounding as ੲ or ਈੜੀ. As you can see, it varies when it comes to pronunciation comparison of the three languages.

We call the consonants of Gurmukhi alphabets of 35 akhar and the ਸ is one of the top ones. It is equivalent in sound as letter S in English and is pronounced by emphasizing the second syllable to produce the sound ਸੱਸਾ. When you Romanize it, you get the phonetic ਸੱਸਾ that can get an alternative spelling of ਸੱਸਾ. The spellings in English, Gurmukhi, and the Romanized alternative will differ slightly, just like like pronouncing them. It appears at the top in the grid as the forth horizontally but as the first akhar.

The ਹ is another consonant that closely identifies with the Punjabi Paintee alphabet. In the English alphabet, it would identify as H and sounds as ਹਾਹਾ. As you can see, you give equal emphasis all the syllables. But when you speak, you will have to release a puff of air which starts with the lips holding together. Romanizing it makes the sound to be ਹਾਹਾ which you can also spell as ਹ. Comparing the spellings of the pronunciation in English, Gurmukhi, and Romanized versions, you will spot a slight difference in the spelling.

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