Kokborok, a Sino-Tibetan language, has six basic vowel phonemes: /i/, /u/, /e/, /ə/, /o/, and /a/. In the Hachukma writing system, graphemes that differ from their phonemic pronunciation are indicated in angle brackets.
The consonant system includes voiceless, aspirated, and voiced stops such as p, t, k, ch, ph, th, kh, b, d, j, and g. It also includes fricatives like s and h, nasals m, n, and ng , the lateral l, the rhotic r, and the approximants w and y. Based on this phonological system, the Hachukma script functions as a fully alphabetic writing system, with independent vowels and consonants. View IPA Chart 🔊
Vowels
| Front | Central | Back | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Close | i | u | |
| Mid | e | ə | ɔ |
| Open | a |
Orthography differing from the phonetic transcription is indicated using angle brackets
Consonants
| Labial | Alveolar | Lamino-Postalveolar | Velar | Glottal | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stops/Affricates | p | t | t͡ʃ ⟨ch⟩ | k | |
| aspirated | pʰ ⟨ph⟩ | tʰ ⟨th⟩ | kʰ ⟨kh⟩ | ||
| voiced | b | d | d͡ʒ ⟨j⟩ | ɡ | |
| Fricatives | s | h | |||
| Nasals | m | n | ŋ ⟨ng⟩ | ||
| Lateral | l | ||||
| Rhotic | r | ||||
| Approximants | w | j ⟨y⟩ |
Extra Note on Sound Categories: In the vowel chart, the terms “Front,” “Central,” and “Back” refer to the position of the tongue during pronunciation rather than the letters themselves. “Front” vowels are pronounced with the tongue forward in the mouth, “Central” vowels with the tongue in the middle and “Back” vowels with the tongue pulled toward the back. In the consonant chart, headings like Labial, Alveolar, Lamino-Postalveolar, Velar, and Glottal indicate where in the vocal tract the sound is produced, while rows such as Stops, Fricatives, Nasals, Lateral, Rhotic, and Approximants describe how the airflow is modified during articulation.
Hachukma Script
The Hachukma Object Script is a distinctive pictographic writing system based primarily on the acrophonic principle in which each symbol derives its phonetic value from the initial sound of the object it visually represents. A small number of characters are treated as exceptions, whose phonetic values do not follow this initial-sound pattern. The characters are inspired by culturally significant Tripuri artifacts, human body parts, selected arthropods, and elements of the natural environment, preserving their recognizable forms and maintaining a strong connection to Borok cultural heritage. Although pictorial in origin, the symbols function purely as phonetic signs; in actual use, each letter represents only its assigned sound, rendering the original object meaning semantically inactive. Through this structure, the script operates as a fully alphabetic system while retaining a distinct visual and cultural identity.
Ang
Ang means “self” or “pointing to me”.
Buphang
Buphang-khɘthɘi is a death tree.
Chɘng
Chɘng is the word for “we,” embodying unity and the spirit of community among the Borok people.
Dangdol
Dangdol is a clothesline made of bamboo, and it is still commonly used today, especially in rural areas.
Imang
Imang refers to dreams seen while sleeping.
Pharok
Pharok refers to the rock pigeon, a bird commonly seen around temples and old buildings.
Golari
Golari is a hand-powered device consisting of a Y-shaped frame with elastic bands attached to a pouch that holds a small projectile. It functions by pulling the pouch backward to create tension in the bands, then releasing it to propel the projectile with controlled force and direction.
Hangrai-nok
Hangrai-nok is a traditional celebration of the Borok community with bamboo huts, cooking together, and community feasts.
aikha
aikha refers to the morning time of day, the early part of the day when the sun rises and the day begins.
Jubar-bubar
Jubar-bubar refers to the hibiscus flower, a bright and beautiful flower often seen in gardens and used in cultural and religious traditions.
Kowai-buphang
Kowai-buphang is the areca nut tree commonly found near Borok households.
Langa
Langa is a traditional carrying basket used by Borok women.
Mɘsɘi-bokhorok
Mɘsɘi-bokhorok refers to the deer head in the Borok region. It was known to exist in earlier times, but is no longer found in the present day.
Noboraisa
Noboraisa is a locally used name for a baby house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus), a small nocturnal lizard commonly seen inside homes, especially near lights where it feeds on insects.
Onchi
Onchi refers to a bamboo-made fishing net, a traditional livelihood practice.
Potdo-bubar
Potdo refers to the lotus flower growing in a pond, admired for its natural beauty.
Thaichumui
Thaichumui is a local melon fruit grown during jhum cultivation by Tripuri women.
Romo
Romo is a traditional Tripuri wooden mortar used to pound sticky rice.
Sindrai
Sindrai refers to the centipede insect found in the region.
Tok-thunta
Tok-thunta is a woodpecker bird found in natural forest areas.
unklog
Unklog means “back,” referring to the back part of the body.
rə
Rə means “give,” referring to the act of handing something to someone.
View IPA Chart 🔊Khunta
Khunta is a wooden stake fixed into the soil, used for tying animals such as cows and goats.
Wa
Wa refers to bamboo found locally and traditionally used in daily life.
Yakung
Yakung refers to the leg, a part of the human body.
Wasung
Wasung is a character that represents a bamboo tube. It is used to indicate the final consonant sound /ŋ/.
Numerals
The Kokborok number system is a base-10 system, similar to other Sino-Tibeto-Burman numbering systems. It uses its own set of numerals to represent numbers from zero to nine.
Word Collection of Kokborok Language
A curated collection of Kokborok words with their Roman kokborok and Unicode representation.