Writing systems of Southeast Asia



Southeast Asia uses various non-Latin-based writing systems. The writing systems below are listed by language family.

Austroasiatic languages

 * Khmer script (for Khmer language)
 * Khom script (for Bahnaric languages)
 * Chữ Nôm (historical writing for Vietnamese language)

Austronesian languages
Most Austronesian languages use Latin script today. Some non-Latin-based writing systems are listed below.


 * Jawi alphabet (for Malay and a number of other languages)
 * Cham script (for Cham language)
 * Eskayan script (for Eskayan language)
 * Kawi script (used across Maritime Southeast Asia)
 * Balinese script
 * Batak script
 * Baybayin
 * Buhid script
 * Hanunó'o script
 * Kulitan alphabet (for Kapampangan language)
 * Tagbanwa script
 * Javanese script
 * Lontara script
 * Makasar script
 * Old Sundanese script
 * Sundanese script
 * Rejang script
 * Rencong script
 * Buda script
 * Gangga Melayu

Hmong-Mien languages

 * Romanized Popular Alphabet (Hmong RPA)
 * Pollard script
 * Pahawh Hmong
 * Nyiakeng Puachue Hmong
 * Eebee Hmong

Kra-Dai languages
Many Southwestern Tai languages are written using Brāhmī-derived alphabets. Zhuang languages were traditionally written with Chinese characters, but are now usually written with romanized alphabets.


 * Thai script
 * Lao script
 * Sawndip
 * Shan script
 * Tai Viet script
 * Tai Le script
 * New Tai Lue alphabet
 * Tai Tham script
 * Tai Yo script

Tibeto-Burman languages

 * Burmese alphabet
 * S'gaw Karen alphabet
 * Ersu Shaba
 * Kayah Li alphabet
 * Fraser alphabet (used to write the Lisu language)
 * Naxi script
 * Geba syllabary
 * Dongba symbols
 * Zomi script
 * Tangut script
 * Tibetan script
 * Tujia script
 * Yi script