Language/Telugu/Grammar/Telugu-Alphabet

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Telugu → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Introduction to Telugu Script → Telugu Alphabet

Introduction

Welcome to the lesson on the Telugu alphabet! In this lesson, we will explore the basic Telugu script, which consists of 56 letters, including vowels and consonants. Understanding the Telugu alphabet is essential for learning the language as it forms the foundation of reading, writing, and pronunciation. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to recognize and write each letter of the Telugu alphabet with ease.

Structure of the Lesson

To ensure a comprehensive learning experience, this lesson is divided into several sections. We will begin with an overview of the Telugu alphabet, followed by a detailed explanation of each letter. We will also explore the pronunciation and writing of each letter through examples and practice exercises. Additionally, we will touch upon any regional variations in the usage of the Telugu alphabet and share interesting cultural facts related to the topic.

Let's dive into the fascinating world of the Telugu alphabet!

The Telugu Alphabet

The Telugu alphabet consists of 56 letters, including 16 vowels and 40 consonants. These letters are known as "aksharamulu" in Telugu. Each letter represents a distinct sound and is written in a specific script. The Telugu script is derived from the ancient Brahmi script, which was used to write various ancient Indian languages.

Vowels

The Telugu alphabet has 16 vowels, known as "swaralu." These vowels can be further classified into short and long vowels. The short vowels are represented by individual letters, while the long vowels are formed by adding vowel signs to the corresponding short vowels.

Here is a table showcasing the Telugu vowels along with their pronunciation and English equivalents:

Telugu	Pronunciation	English Translation
అ	a	a
ఆ	ā	aa
ఇ	i	i
ఈ	ī	ee
ఉ	u	u
ఊ	ū	oo
ఋ	ṛ	ri
ఎ	e	e
ఏ	ē	ee
ఐ	ai	ai
ఒ	o	o
ఓ	ō	oo
ఔ	au	au
అం	aṃ	am
అః	aḥ	ah

Consonants

The Telugu alphabet consists of 40 consonants, known as "vyanjanamulu." These consonants are further classified into five groups based on their pronunciation. Each group is represented by a specific vowel sound, which is added to the consonant to create syllables.

Here is a table showcasing the Telugu consonants along with their pronunciation and English equivalents:

Telugu	Pronunciation	English Translation
క	ka	k
ఖ	kha	kh
గ	ga	g
ఘ	gha	gh
ఙ	ṅa	ng
చ	cha	ch
ఛ	cha	chh
జ	ja	j
ఝ	jha	jh
ఞ	ña	ny
ట	ṭa	t
ఠ	ṭha	th
డ	ḍa	d
ఢ	ḍha	dh
ణ	ṇa	n
త	ta	t
థ	tha	th
ద	da	d
ధ	dha	dh
న	na	n
ప	pa	p
ఫ	pha	ph
బ	ba	b
భ	bha	bh
మ	ma	m
య	ya	y
ర	ra	r
ల	la	l
వ	va	v
శ	śa	sh
ష	ṣa	sh
స	sa	s
హ	ha	h
ళ	ḷa	l
క్ష	kṣa	ksh
జ్ఞ	jña	jny

Cultural Significance

The Telugu alphabet holds immense cultural significance in the Telugu-speaking regions of India. It is not only a means of communication but also a symbol of identity and pride for Telugu speakers. The script has a rich history, dating back to ancient times, and has evolved over centuries.

In different regions of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, there may be slight variations in the pronunciation of certain letters or the usage of specific characters in the Telugu script. These regional variations add diversity to the Telugu language and reflect the cultural nuances of different communities.

Telugu literature, poetry, and art have flourished through the medium of the Telugu script. Many iconic Telugu literary works, such as the "Andhra Mahabharatam" and "Amuktamalyada," have been written in the Telugu script, contributing to the cultural heritage of the Telugu-speaking people.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have explored the Telugu alphabet, let's practice what we have learned. Here are a few exercises to help you reinforce your understanding of the Telugu script:

Exercise 1: Write the Telugu equivalent for the following English words:

• Elephant
• Mango
• Sun
• Tree
• Moon

Solution:

• ఆనందం (ānandaṁ)
• మామిడి (māmiḍi)
• సూర్యుడు (sūryuḍu)
• చెట్టు (cheṭṭu)
• చంద్రుడు (candruḍu)

Exercise 2: Write the Telugu consonant-vowel combination for the following syllables:

• ka
• ga
• ta
• da
• pa

Solution:

• క (ka)
• గ (ga)
• త (ta)
• ద (da)
• ప (pa)

Exercise 3: Write the Telugu vowel sign for the following short vowels:

• a
• i
• u
• e
• o

Solution:

• అ (a)
• ఇ (i)
• ఉ (u)
• ఎ (e)
• ఒ (o)

Conclusion

Congratulations on completing the lesson on the Telugu alphabet! You have learned the 56 letters of the Telugu script, including vowels and consonants. The Telugu alphabet is the key to unlocking the world of Telugu language and culture.

In this lesson, we explored the pronunciation and writing of each letter, as well as the significance of the Telugu script in Telugu-speaking regions. We also practiced writing Telugu words and syllables to reinforce our learning.

Continue practicing and familiarizing yourself with the Telugu alphabet, as it will pave the way for further language learning. In the next lesson, we will delve into vowel signs and their usage in Telugu script.

Table of Contents - Telugu Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Telugu Script

• Telugu Alphabet
• Vowel Signs

  ---

Basic Vocabulary

• Greetings and Introductions
• Numbers and Colors
• Days of the Week and Months

  ---

Basic Sentence Structure

• Subject, Object, and Verb
• Question Formation

  ---

Everyday Vocabulary

• Family and Relationships
• Food and Drink
• Travel and Transportation

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Gender and Number
• Personal Pronouns
• Possessive Pronouns

  ---

Hobbies and Activities

• Sports and Exercise
• Entertainment and Media
• Arts and Crafts

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense
• Future Tense

  ---

Telugu Culture and Traditions

• Festivals and Celebrations
• Food and Cuisine
• Arts and Entertainment

Sources

• Telugu language - Wikipedia
• Telugu/Alphabet - Wikibooks, open books for an open world
• Telugu grammar

Other Lessons

• Give your Opinion
• Subject, Object, and Verb
• Noun Gender and Number
• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• 0 to A1 Course
• Vowel Signs
• Pronouns
• Plurals
• Conditional Mood

Next Lesson — Vowel Signs ▶️