Pahawh Hmong Unicode Block

The Unicode block "Pahawh Hmong" is specifically designated for the script used to write the Hmong language, which is predominantly spoken by the Hmong people residing in regions of China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand, as well as significant diaspora communities across the world. This script was devised by Shong Lue Yang, often referred to as the "Mother of Writing," in the late 20th century. Pahawh Hmong is distinctive for its representation of tonal aspects of the Hmong language, utilizing a unique system that differs from the Latin alphabet representation often seen in Hmong Romanized Popular Alphabet (RPA). The Unicode block for Pahawh Hmong provides a wide array of characters that capture the phonetic and tonal richness of the Hmong language in a script format that is both functional and aesthetically significant.

The Pahawh Hmong Unicode block extends from U+16B00 to U+16B8F and encompasses a total of 127 characters. These include consonant and vowel symbols, tone markers, and additional modifier characters crucial for the correct representation of the tonal nature of Hmong phonology. The inclusion of the Pahawh Hmong block in Unicode allows for the digital preservation and dissemination of Hmong cultural heritage, providing crucial support for linguistic research and revitalization efforts. The encoding of Pahawh Hmong into Unicode signifies an important step in recognizing and honoring the linguistic diversity of the Hmong people, enabling broader communication and cultural expression through modern digital technologies.

View a range of fonts that support the Pahawh Hmong block.

Below you will find all the characters that are in the Pahawh Hmong unicode block. Currently there are 127 characters in this block.