Gurmukhi Script and Orthography
What the Gurmukhi section tests
Questions check recognition and production of the script: the 35 akhar, vowel signs (ਲਗਾਂ ਮਾਤਰਾਂ), nasal marks, addak, subjoined forms, numerals and punctuation. Spelling accuracy is part of every other section too.
Core rules
- The base letter is pronounced with mukta (no vowel sign): ਕ = ka.
- Vowel signs attach to the preceding consonant, but some are written to its left: ਸਿਹਾਰੀ (ਿ) appears before the letter it follows in sound, as in ਕਿ.
- Learn the vowel signs: ਕੰਨਾ ਾ, ਸਿਹਾਰੀ ਿ, ਬਿਹਾਰੀ ੀ, ਔਂਕੜ ੁ, ਦੁਲੈਂਕੜ ੂ, ਲਾਵਾਂ ੇ, ਦੁਲਾਵਾਂ ੈ, ਹੋੜਾ ੋ, ਕਨੌੜਾ ੌ, plus mukta.
- ਟਿੱਪੀ (ੰ) and ਬਿੰਦੀ (ਂ) mark nasalization; addak (ੱ) doubles the following consonant.
- Gurmukhi numerals: ੦ ੧ ੨ ੩ ੪ ੫ ੬ ੭ ੮ ੯.
Worked example
Spell ਕਿਤਾਬ ("book"). Reasoning: start with ਕ, add ਸਿਹਾਰੀ for the i-sound, giving ਕਿ; then ਤ with ਕੰਨਾ for ā, giving ਤਾ; then ਬ with mukta. Write ਕਿ + ਤਾ + ਬ = ਕਿਤਾਬ. The trap is writing the sihari after ਕ; visually it belongs on the left, even though the vowel is pronounced after the consonant.
Traps
- Placing ਿ on the wrong side of its consonant.
- Omitting addak in words that require a doubled consonant.
- Confusing ਟਿੱਪੀ and ਬਿੰਦੀ.
- Using Arabic numerals in a Gurmukhi answer.
- Forgetting that subjoined forms change the shape of some letters.