kids encyclopedia robot

Lao script facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Lao script is the writing system used to write the Lao language. It is based on the Khmer script. Since the Thai script was also based on the Khmer script, Lao script is very similar. Like Thai, it is an abugida, it has tone markers, and it has three classes of consonants that decides the tone of syllables. However, it is different from the Thai script because it has fewer consonants and the characters are much curvier than Thai, which are more angular. It also does not have the extra letters from Sanskrit and Pali like Thai does. The Lao script has 27 consonant letters, 7 consonant ligatures, 33 vowel markers, and 4 tone markers.

Images for kids

  • Evolution of the Lao Script

    Evolution of the Lao Script

  • WatThatLuang Sign

    Lao script on a sign at Wat That Luang, Vientiane.

  • Buddhapanditsabhacandapuri

    These now-obsolete Lao letters were once used to spell words of Pali and Sanskrit derivation, but were removed, reducing the consonant inventory and the similarity of spelling between Thai and Lao.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Alfabeto laosiano para niños

kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Lao script Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.