Writing systems of Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia uses various non-Latin-based writing systems. The writing systems below are listed by language family.

A manuscript from the early 1800s from central Sumatra, in Batak Toba language, one of many languages from Indonesia.

Austroasiatic languages

Main article: Austroasiatic languages

• Khmer script (for Khmer language)^[1]
• Khom script (for Bahnaric languages)^[2]
• Chữ Nôm (historical writing for Vietnamese language)^[3]

Austronesian languages

Main article: Austronesian languages

Further information: List of writing systems of Indonesia

Most Austronesian languages use Latin script today. Some non-Latin-based writing systems are listed below.

• Jawi and Pegon scripts (for Malay and a number of other languages)^[4]
• Cham script (for Cham language)^[5]
• Eskayan script (for Eskayan language)^[6]
• Gangga Melayu^[7]
• Kawi script (used across Maritime Southeast Asia)^[8]
  • Batak script^[9]
  • Baybayin^[10]
    • Buhid script^[11]
    • Hanunó'o script^[12]
    • Kulitan alphabet (for Kapampangan language)
    • Tagbanwa script^[13]
  • Buda script
    • Balinese script^[14]
    • Javanese script^[15]
    • Old Sundanese script
      • Sundanese script^[16]
  • Lontara script^[17]
    • Lota Ende script
    • Mbojo script
    • Sikka script
  • Makasar script
  • Rencong/Ulu script
    • Kerinci script
    • Lampung script
    • Rejang script^[18]
    • Serang script
  • Sasak script
• Others script
  • Alifuru script
  • Bonda script
  • Dunging script
  • Gayo script
  • Malesung script
  • Minangkabau script
  • Mongondow script
  • Nias script
  • Sangir script

Hmong-Mien languages

Main articles: Hmong–Mien languages and Hmong writing

• Romanized Popular Alphabet (Hmong RPA)
• Pollard script^[19]
• Pahawh Hmong^[20]
• Nyiakeng Puachue Hmong
• Eebee Hmong

Kra-Dai languages

Main article: Kra–Dai languages

Many Southwestern Tai languages are written using Brāhmī-derived alphabets. Zhuang languages were traditionally written with Chinese characters, but are now usually written with romanized alphabets.

• Thai script^[21]
• Lao script^[22]
• Sawndip
• Shan script^[23]
• Tai Viet script^[24]
• Tai Le script^[25]
• New Tai Lue alphabet^[26]
• Tai Tham script^[27]
• Tai Yo script

Tibeto-Burman languages

Main article: Tibeto-Burman languages

• Burmese alphabet^[28]
  • S'gaw Karen alphabet
  • Chakma script
• Ersu Shaba
• Kayah Li alphabet^[29]
• Fraser alphabet^[30] (used to write the Lisu language)
• Naxi script^[31]
  • Geba syllabary
  • Dongba symbols
• Zomi script
• Tangut script^[32]
• Tibetan script^[33]
• Tujia script^[34]
• Yi script^[35]

See also

• Classification schemes for Southeast Asian languages
• Writing systems of Africa