Gujarati Typing - A Comprehensive Guide PART 4: Handling Special Gujarati Characters and Script Rules

Special Gujarati Characters

Gujarati includes several unique characters that follow specific usage rules. Understanding them helps you type accurately and maintain the authenticity of the script.

ઁ (Candrabindu)
Used mainly in classical or Vedic-style writing to indicate nasalization in pronunciation. It appears above the letter and is less common in modern Gujarati.

ઃ (Visarga)
Found in many Sanskrit-derived words. It produces a soft breath-like sound after the vowel. Correct use of visarga helps preserve the original Sanskrit form of a word.

ળ (ḷa)
A retroflex lateral consonant used in words such as પંડિત (paṇḍit) and કલાક (kalak). Learners often confuse it with લ (la), but both represent different sounds and are not interchangeable.

૱ (Gujarati Rupee Symbol)
Used in formal writing, financial documents, and currency representation. It adds clarity and maintains standard formatting when mentioning monetary values.

Gujarati Script Rules to Remember
Typing Gujarati correctly becomes easier when you understand how the script behaves:

• Every consonant carries a natural “a” sound unless a vowel sign is added or removed.
• The Halant (્) is used to suppress this inherent vowel, allowing you to form conjunct consonants or end a word without the “a” sound.
• Visarga (ઃ) and Anusvara (ં) are essential in Sanskrit-origin words, helping maintain accurate pronunciation and spelling.

Following these rules strengthens your Gujarati typing foundation and ensures your written text stays true to the language’s structure and sound.