A. Introduction to Lepcha Language

Chhyoming Aamoo (Consonants): Chhyoming Aamoo refers to consonant letters in the Lepcha language. There are 28 consonants and they are used to form words. Tyelboo Thaambyin (Consonant Symbols): Tyelboo Thaambyin are special symbols used with 8 specific Chhyoming Aamoo letters. These are pronounced by adding “tet” at the end of the consonants. In Lepcha, “tet” means “sign” or “symbol.”

Thyu (Conjunct Letters): When certain Chhyoming Aamoo letters (consonants) are combined with the letters ra, la or ya, they form a special type of letter called Thyu or conjunct letters. Ra Thyu - There are 8 Chhyoming Aamoo (consonants) letters that when joined with the letter “ra” form unique conjunct letters called the "Ra Thyu". These conjunct letters have their distinct pronunciation.

La Thyu (La Conjunct Letters): There are 7 Chhyoming Aamoo (consonant) letters that when combined with the letter "la", form special conjunct letters called "La Thyu". These letters have distinct pronunciations.

Ya Thyu (Ya Conjunct Letters): When 16 letters from Chhyoming Aakup (vowels) and Chhyoming Aamoo (consonants) are combined with the letter "ya", they form unique conjunct letters called "Ya Thyu". These letters have distinct pronunciations. Additionally, when a Ra Thyu or La Thyu letter is combined with "ya", it also forms a Ya Thyu with its own distinct pronunciation.