Isan Language - Writing System

Writing System

Isan is currently written in the Thai alphabet, although this system is inadequate for representing two distinct phonemes used in Isan and the tones are not written according to Lao tonal rules. Secular writing was written using the Tai Noy script, which the modern Lao alphabet descends from. This was widely used in Isan until 2414 BE (1871 AD), when the Thai government banned both language and script from schools and general writing. It remains to a limited extent in the palm-leaf manuscripts preserved in Isan temple libraries, and can be seen throughout the region on very old temple murals. The Tai Noy script was the 'secular' script in use for records, stories, songs, poetry, and display. Religious literature was often written in a Mon-based script also formerly used for Kham Mueang. Secret codes, charms, and occult writing often used the old Khrom script, an older version of the Khmer alphabet.

Below are the lyrics to the song Duang Jampa (ดวงจำปา,duaːŋ càmpàː) a famous song to all Lao speakers. One can see that both scripts are similar and that cognate words are spelt nearly the same.

(Thai rendering of Isan): เห็นสวนดอกไม้ บิดาปลูกไว้ ตั้งแต่ใดมา เวลา หงอยเหงา ยังช่วยบรรเทาให้หายโศกา
(Standard Lao of Laos): ເຫັນສວນດອກໄມ້ ບິດາປູກໄວ້ ຕັ້ງແຕ່ໃດມາ ເວລາ ຫງອຽເຫງົາ ຍັງຊ່ວຽບັນເທົາໃຫ້ຫາຽໂສກາ
(RTGS Romanisation): hen suan dokmai bida p(l)uk wai tang tae dai ma wela ngoy ngao yang chuai ban thao hai hai soka

The word 'pluk' is rendered with an l in Thai, but not in Lao.