View source for Batak script

{{Short description|Writing system used for several Batak languages}}
{{EngvarA|date=May 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox writing system
| name        = Surat Batak
| altname     = {{Script|Batk|ᯘᯮᯒᯖ᯲ ᯅᯖᯂ᯲}}
| type        = [[Abugida]]
| languages   = [[Batak languages]]
| fam1        = [[Proto-Sinaitic alphabet]]
|footnotes=
| fam2        = [[Phoenician alphabet]]
| fam3        = [[Aramaic alphabet]]
| fam4        = [[Brāhmī script|Brāhmī]]{{efn|The detailed descent of Batak script from Brahmi is unclear. Hypotheses of [[Kawi script|Kawi]] origin or direct descent through [[Pallava script|Pallava]].|group=note}}
| fam5        = [[Pallava script]]
| fam6        = [[Kawi script]]
| sisters     = Direct family relationships is unclear. Sister scripts on hypothesis of common Kawi origin:<br/>
[[Balinese script|Balinese]]<br>[[Baybayin|Baybayin scripts]]<br>[[Javanese script|Javanese]]<br>[[Lontara script|Lontara]]<br />[[Makasar script|Makasar]]<br/>[[Old Sundanese script|Old Sundanese]]<br>[[Rencong script|Rencong]]<br />[[Rejang script|Rejang]]
| time        = c. 1300&ndash;present
| unicode     = [https://www.unicode.org/charts/PDF/U1BC0.pdf U+1BC0&ndash;U+1BFF]
| iso15924    = Batk
| sample      = Surat Batak.svg
| imagesize   = 250px
| caption     = "Surat Batak" in Toba variant.
}}
{{Writing systems in Indonesia}}
{{Contains special characters|Batak}}
{{brahmic}}

The '''Batak script''' (natively known as '''Surat Batak''', '''Surat na Sampulu Sia''' ({{lit|the nineteen letters}}), or '''Sisiasia''') is a [[writing system]] used to write the [[Austronesian languages|Austronesian]] [[Batak languages]] spoken by several million people on the [[Indonesia]]n island of [[Sumatra]]. The script may be derived from the [[Kawi script|Kawi]] and [[Pallava script]], ultimately derived from the [[Brahmi script]] of India, or from the hypothetical Proto-Sumatran script influenced by Pallava.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ulikozok.com/aksara-batak/sejarah-aksara-batak/|author=Uli Kozok|title=Sejarah Aksara Batak|access-date=17 May 2014}}</ref>

==History==

The Batak magicians and priests or ''datu'' used the Batak script mainly for magical texts and divinatory purposes. It is unknown how many non-specialists were literate in the Batak script, but judging from the widespread tradition of writing love laments, especially among the Karo, Simalungun, and Angkola-Mandailing Batak, it is likely that a considerable part of the non-specialist population was able to read and write the Batak script. After the arrival of Europeans in the Batak lands, first German missionaries and, from 1878 onwards, the Dutch, the Batak script was, alongside the Roman script, taught in the schools, and teaching and religious materials were printed in the Batak script. Soon after the first World War the missionaries decided to discontinue printing books in the Batak script.<ref>Kozok 2009:168.</ref> The script soon fell out of use and is now only used for ornamental purposes.

==Origin==

The Batak script was probably derived from [[Pallava script|Pallava]] and [[Old Kawi]] scripts, which ultimately were derived from the [[Brahmi script]], the root of almost all the Indic and Southeast Asian scripts.

==Structure==

Batak is written from left to right and top to bottom. Like all Brahmi-based scripts, each consonant has an inherent vowel of {{IPA|/a/}}, unless there is a [[diacritic]] (in Toba Batak called ''pangolat'') to indicate the lack of a vowel. Other vowels, final ''[[Eng (letter)|ŋ]]'', and final velar fricative {{IPA|[x]}} are indicated by diacritics, which appear above, below, or after the letter. For example, ''ba'' is written '''ba''' (one letter); ''bi'' is written '''ba.i''' (''i'' follows the consonant); ''bang'' is written '''ba<sup>ŋ</sup>''' (''ŋ'' is above the consonant); and ''bing'' is '''ba<sup>ŋ</sup>.i'''. Final consonants are written with the ''pangolat'' (here represented by "#"): ''bam'' is '''ba.ma.#'''. However, ''bim'' is written '''ba.ma.i.#''': the first diacritic belongs to the first consonant, and the second belongs to the second consonant, but both are written at the end of the entire syllable. Unlike most Brahmi-based scripts, Batak does not form consonant conjuncts.

==Basic characters==

The basic characters are called ''surat''. Each consonant has an inherent vowel of {{IPA|/a/}}. The script varies by region and language. The major variants are between [[Batak Karo language|Karo]], [[Mandailing language|Mandailing]], [[Pakpak language|Pakpak]]/Dairi, [[Simalungun language|Simalungun]]/Timur, and [[Toba Batak language|Toba]]:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
| colspan="24"  style="background:#ccf; text-align:center;"|'''Surat (Basic characters)'''
|-style="text-align:center;"
|  style="width:10%; text-align:center;"|'''IPA'''
| a
| ha
| ka
| ba
| pa
| na
| wa
| ga
| dʒa
| da
| ra
| ma
| ta
| sa
| ja
| ŋa
| la
| ɲa
| tʃa
| nda
| mba
| i
| u
|-style="text-align:center;"
|  style="width:10%; text-align:center;"|'''Transcription'''
| a
| ha
| ka
| ba
| pa
| na
| wa
| ga
| ja
| da
| ra
| ma
| ta
| sa
| ya
| nga
| la
| nya
| ca
| nda
| mba
| i
| u
|- style="length:20%;"
|  style="width:10%; text-align:center;"|'''Karo'''
| align="center" |[[File:Batak A-1, Ha.svg|30px|link=|alt=A]]
| align="center"|[[File:Batak A-1, Ha.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ha]]
| align="center" | [[File:Batak Ha-1, Ka-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ka]] 
| align="center" |[[File:Batak Ba-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ba]]
| align="center" |[[File:Batak Pa-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Pa]] 
| align="center" rowspan="5"|[[File:Batak Na.svg|30px|link=|alt=Na]]{{ref|1|1}}
| align="center" |[[File:Batak Wa-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Wa]]
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Ga-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ga]]
| align="center" rowspan="5"|[[File:Batak Ja.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ja]]
| align="center" rowspan="5"|[[File:Batak Da.svg|30px|link=|alt=Da]] 
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Ra-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ra]]
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Ma-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ma]] 
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Ta-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ta]] 
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Sa-1, Ca-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Sa]]
| align="center" |[[File:Batak Ya-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ya]]
| align="center" rowspan="5"|[[File:Batak Nga.svg|30px|link=|alt=Nga]] 
| align="center" |[[File:Batak La-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=La]] 
|
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Ca-3.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ca]]{{ref|5|5}}
| rowspan="4"|
|rowspan="4"|
| align="center" rowspan="5"|[[File:Batak I.svg|30px|link=|alt=I]]
| align="center" rowspan="5"|[[File:Batak U.svg|30px|link=|alt=I]]
|- style="length:10%;"
|  style="width:10%; text-align:center;"|'''Mandailing'''
| align="center" |[[File:Batak A-1, Ha.svg|30px|link=|alt=A]]
| align="center" | [[File:Batak Ha-3.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ha]]
| align="center" | [[File:Batak Ka-3.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ka]] 
| align="center" |[[File:Batak Ba-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ba]]
| align="center" |[[File:Batak Pa-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Pa]]
| align="center" |[[File:Batak Wa-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Wa]]
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Ga-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ga]]
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Ra-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ra]]
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Ma-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ma]] 
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Ta-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ta]]
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Sa-3.svg|30px|link=|alt=Sa]]{{ref|4|4}}
| align="center" |[[File:Batak Ya-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ya]]
| align="center" |[[File:Batak La-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=La]]
| align="center" |[[File:Batak Ca-2, Nya.svg|30px|link=|alt=Nya]]
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Ca-4.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ca]] 
|-style="length:10%;"
|  style="width:10%; text-align:center;"|'''Pakpak'''
| align="center" |[[File:Batak A-1, Ha.svg|30px|link=|alt=A]]
| align="center"|[[File:Batak A-1, Ha.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ha]] 
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Ha-1, Ka-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ka]] 
| align="center" |[[File:Batak Ba-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ba]]
| align="center" |[[File:Batak Pa-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Pa]]
| align="center" |[[File:Batak Wa-3.svg|30px|link=|alt=Wa]]
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Ga-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ga]]
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Ra-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ra]]
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Ma-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ma]] 
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Ta-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ta]]
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Sa-1, Ca-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Sa]] 
| align="center" |[[File:Batak Ya-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ya]]
| align="center" |[[File:Batak La-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=La]] 
| 
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Sa-1, Ca-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ca]]
|-style="length:10%;"
|  style="width:10%; text-align:center;"|'''Toba'''
| align="center" |[[File:Batak A-1, Ha.svg|30px|link=|alt=A]]
| align="center" | [[File:Batak Ha-1, Ka-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ha]] 
| align="center" | [[File:Batak Ha-1, Ka-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ka]]
| align="center" |[[File:Batak Ba-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ba]]
| align="center" |[[File:Batak Pa-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Pa]]
| align="center" |[[File:Batak Wa-3.svg|30px|link=|alt=Wa]]{{ref|2|2}}
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Ga-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ga]]
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Ra-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ra]]
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Ma-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ma]] 
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Ta-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ta]]{{ref|3|3}}
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Sa-1, Ca-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Sa]] 
| align="center" |[[File:Batak Ya-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ya]]
| align="center" |[[File:Batak La-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=La]] 
| align="center" |[[File:Batak Ca-2, Nya.svg|30px|link=|alt=Nya]]
| align="center" rowspan="2" |
|-style="length:10%;"
|  style="width:10%; text-align:center;"|'''Simalungun'''
| align="center" |[[File:Batak A-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=A]]
| align="center" | [[File:Batak Ha-2, Ka-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ha]]
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Ha-2, Ka-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ka]]
| align="center" |[[File:Batak Ba-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ba]]
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Pa-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Pa]]
| align="center" |[[File:Batak Wa-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Wa]]
| align="center" |[[File:Batak Ga-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ga]]
| align="center" |[[File:Batak Ra-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ra]]
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Ma-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ma]]
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Ta-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ta]]
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Sa-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Sa]]
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Ya-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ya]]
| align="center" |[[File:Batak La-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=La]]
| align="center" |[[File:Batak Ca-2, Nya.svg|30px|link=|alt=Nya]]
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Nda.svg|30px|link=|alt=Nda]]
| align="center"|[[File:Batak Mba-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Mba]]{{ref|6|6}}
|}

<small>
Alternate forms:
<br>
{{note|1|1}} [[File:Batak Na-2.svg|20px|link=|alt=Na]] (used in Mandailing)
{{note|2|2}} [[File:Batak Wa-1.svg|20px|link=|alt=Wa]]
{{note|3|3}} [[File:Batak Ta-1.svg|20px|link=|alt=Ta]]
{{note|4|4}} [[File:Batak Sa-2.svg|20px|link=|alt=Sa]]
{{note|5|5}} [[File:Batak Ca-2, Nya.svg|20px|link=|alt=Ca]]
{{note|6|6}} [[File:Batak Ba-1.svg|20px|link=|alt=Mba]]
</small>

==Diacritics==

[[Diacritic]]s are used to change the pronunciation of a character.  They can change the vowel from the inherent {{IPA|/a/}}, mark a final [velar nasal] {{IPA|/ŋ/}}, mark a final [[voiceless velar fricative|velar fricative]] {{IPA|/x/}}, or indicate a final consonant with no vowel:

{| class="wikitable" 
|+ Batak Diacritics
|-
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Latin{{br}}[[Transliteration|Trans.]]
! scope="col" colspan="5" style="border-left:#aaaaaa double;" | Batak Diacritics
| scope="col" rowspan="11" style="border-top:#aaaaaa hidden; border-bottom:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Latin{{br}}Trans.
! scope="col" colspan="5" style="border-left:#aaaaaa double;" | Batak Diacritics with {{IPA|/ka/}}
|-
! scope="col" style="border-left:#aaaaaa double;" | Karo
! scope="col" | Mand.
! scope="col" | Pakp.
! scope="col" | Sima.
! scope="col" | Toba
! scope="col" style="border-left:#aaaaaa double;" | Karo
! scope="col" | Mand.
! scope="col" | Pakp.
! scope="col" | Sima.
! scope="col" | Toba
|- align="left"
! scope="row" | -a
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa double;" |
|
|
|
|
! scope="row" | ka
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa double;" | [[File:Batak Ha-1, Ka-1.svg|33px|link=|alt=Ka]]
| [[File:Batak Ka-3.svg|33px|link=|alt=Ka]]
| [[File:Batak Ha-1, Ka-1.svg|33px|link=|alt=Ka]]
| [[File:Batak Ha-2, Ka-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ka]]
| [[File:Batak Ha-1, Ka-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ka]]
|- align="center"
! scope="row" | -e
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa double;" | [[File:Batak sign E-1.svg|40px|link=|alt=-E]]<hr>[[File:Batak sign E-2.svg|40px|link=|alt=-E]]
| [[File:Batak sign E-2.svg|40px|link=|alt=-E]]
| [[File:Batak sign E-3, O-2.svg|40px|link=|alt=-E]]<hr>[[File:Batak sign E-2.svg|40px|link=|alt=-E]]
| [[File:Batak sign E-2.svg|40px|link=|alt=-E]]
| [[File:Batak sign E-2.svg|40px|link=|alt=-E]]
! scope="row" | ke
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa double;" | [[File:Batak Ke-3.png|40px|link=|alt=Ke]]<hr>[[File:Batak Ke-1.png|40px|link=|alt=Ke]]
| [[File:Batak Ke (Mandailing).png|40px|link=|alt=Ke]]
| [[File:Batak Ke-2, Ko-2.png|40px|link=|alt=Ke]]<hr>[[File:Batak Ke-1.png|40px|link=|alt=Ke]]
| [[File:Batak Ke (Simalungun).png|40px|link=|alt=Ke]]
| [[File:Batak Ke-1.png|40px|link=|alt=Ke]]
|- align="center"
! scope="row" | -i
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa double;" | [[File:Batak sign I-1.svg|40px|link=|alt=-I]]<hr>[[File:Batak sign I-2.svg|40px|link=|alt=-I]]
| [[File:Batak sign I-1.svg|40px|link=|alt=-I]]
| [[File:Batak sign I-1.svg|40px|link=|alt=-I]]
| [[File:Batak sign I-2.svg|40px|link=|alt=-I]]
| [[File:Batak sign I-1.svg|40px|link=|alt=-I]]
! scope="row" | ki
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa double;" | [[File:Batak Ki-1.png|40px|link=|alt=Ki]]<hr>[[File:Batak Ki-2.png|40px|link=|alt=Ki]]
| [[File:Batak Ki (Mandailing).png|40px|link=|alt=Ki]]
| [[File:Batak Ki-1.png|40px|link=|alt=Ki]]
| [[File:Batak Ki (Simalungun).png|40px|link=|alt=Ki]]
| [[File:Batak Ki-1.png|40px|link=|alt=Ki]]
|- align="center"
! scope="row" | -o
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa double;" | [[File:Batak sign E-3, O-2.svg|40px|link=|alt=-O]]<hr>[[File:Batak sign O-3.svg|40px|link=|alt=-O]]
| [[File:Batak sign O-1.svg|40px|link=|alt=-O]]
| [[File:Batak sign O-1.svg|40px|link=|alt=-O]]
| [[File:Batak sign O-1.svg|40px|link=|alt=-O]]
| [[File:Batak sign O-1.svg|40px|link=|alt=-O]]
! scope="row" | ko
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa double;" | [[File:Batak Ke-2, Ko-2.png|40px|link=|alt=Ko]]<hr>[[File:Batak Ko-3.png|40px|link=|alt=Ko]]
| [[File:Batak Ko (Mandailing).png|40px|link=|alt=Ko]]
| [[File:Batak Ko-1, Ku-1.png|40px|link=|alt=Ko]]
| [[File:Batak Ko (Simalungun).png|40px|link=|alt=Ko]]
| [[File:Batak Ko-1, Ku-1.png|40px|link=|alt=Ko]]
|- align="center"
! scope="row" | -ou
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa double;" |
|
|
| [[File:Batak sign Ou.svg|40px|link=|alt=-Ou]]
|
! scope="row" | kou
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa double;" |
|
|
| [[File:Batak Kou (Simalungun).png|40px|link=|alt=Kou]]
|
|- align="center"
! scope="row" | -u
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa double;" | [[File:Batak sign O-1.svg|40px|link=|alt=-U]]
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|40px|link=|alt=-U]]
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|40px|link=|alt=-U]]
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|40px|link=|alt=-U]]
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|40px|link=|alt=-U]]
! scope="row" | ku
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa double;" | [[File:Batak Ko-1, Ku-1.png|40px|link=|alt=Ku]]
| [[File:Batak Ku (Mandailing).png|40px|link=|alt=Ku]]
| [[File:Batak Ku-2.png|40px|link=|alt=Ku]]
| [[File:Batak Ku (Simalungun).png|40px|link=|alt=Ku]]
| [[File:Batak Ku-2.png|40px|link=|alt=Ku]]
|- align="center"
! scope="row" | -ng
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa double;" | [[File:Batak sign Ng.svg|40px|link=|alt=-Ng]]
| [[File:Batak sign Ng.svg|40px|link=|alt=-Ng]]
| [[File:Batak sign Ng.svg|40px|link=|alt=-Ng]]
| [[File:Batak sign Ng.svg|40px|link=|alt=-Ng]]
| [[File:Batak sign Ng.svg|40px|link=|alt=-Ng]]
! scope="row" | kang
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa double;" | [[File:Batak Kang.png|40px|link=|alt=Kang]]
| [[File:Batak Kang (Mandailing).png|40px|link=|alt=Kang]]
| [[File:Batak Kang.png|40px|link=|alt=Kang]]
| [[File:Batak Kang (Simalungun).png|40px|link=|alt=Kang]]
| [[File:Batak Kang.png|40px|link=|alt=Kang]]
|- align="center"
! scope="row" | -h
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa double;" | [[File:Batak sign H.svg|40px|link=|alt=-H]]
|
| [[File:Batak sign H.svg|40px|link=|alt=-H]]
| [[File:Batak sign H.svg|40px|link=|alt=-H]]
|
! scope="row" | kah
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa double;" | [[File:Batak Kah.png|40px|link=|alt=Kah]]
|
| [[File:Batak Kah.png|40px|link=|alt=Kah]]
| [[File:Batak Kah (Simalungun).png|40px|link=|alt=Kah]]
|
|- align="center"
! scope="row" | –
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa double;" | [[File:Batak sign mute-2.svg|40px|link=|alt=-]]
| [[File:Batak sign mute-1.svg|40px|link=|alt=-]]
| [[File:Batak sign mute-1.svg|40px|link=|alt=-]]
| [[File:Batak sign mute-2.svg|40px|link=|alt=-]]
| [[File:Batak sign mute-1.svg|40px|link=|alt=-]]
! scope="row" | k
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa double;" | [[File:Batak K-1 (Karo).svg|33px|link=|alt=K]]
| [[File:Batak K-4 (Mandailing).svg|48px|link=|alt=K]]
| [[File:Batak K-3 (Toba, Pakpak).svg|36px|link=|alt=K]]
| [[File:Batak K-2 (Simalungun).svg|36px|link=|alt=K]]
| [[File:Batak K-3 (Toba, Pakpak).svg|36px|link=|alt=K]]
|}

===Ligatures with U===

The diacritic for U used by Mandailing, Pakpak, Simalungun, and Toba can form [[typographic ligature|ligatures]] with its base character:

{|
|+ '''Ligatures with -U'''
|-
| valign="top" |

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" colspan="5" | Batak Script
! scope="col" | Description
|-
| [[File:Batak A-1, Ha.svg|30px|link=|alt=A]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak U-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=A]]&nbsp;
| a + -u = u
|-
| [[File:Batak A-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=A]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak U-3.svg|30px|link=|alt=U]]
| a + -u = u (Simalungun)
|-
| [[File:Batak Ha-3.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ha]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Hu-3.svg|30px|link=|alt=Hu]]&nbsp;
| ha + -u = hu (Mandailing)
|-
| [[File:Batak Ha-2, Ka-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ha]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Ku (Simalungun).png|35px|link=|alt=Hu]]&nbsp;
| ha + -u = hu (Simalungun)
|-
| [[File:Batak Ha-1, Ka-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ha]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Ku-2.png|35px|link=|alt=Hu]]&nbsp;
| ha + -u = hu
|-
| [[File:Batak Ka-3.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ka]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Ku (Mandailing).png|40px|link=|alt=Ku]]&nbsp;
| ka + -u = ku (Mandailing)
|-
| [[File:Batak Ba-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ba]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Bu-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Bu]]&nbsp;
| ba + -u = bu
|-
| [[File:Batak Pa-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=P]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Pu-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Pu]]&nbsp;
| pa + -u = pu (Mandailing)
|-
| [[File:Batak Pa-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Pa]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Pu-3.svg|30px|link=|alt=Pu]]&nbsp;
| pa + -u = pu (Pakpak, Toba)
|-
| [[File:Batak Pa-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Pa]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Pu-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Pu]]&nbsp;
| pa + -u = pu (Simalungun)
|-
| [[File:Batak Na.svg|30px|link=|alt=Na]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Nu-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Nu]]&nbsp;
| na + -u = nu
|-
| [[File:Batak Na-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Na]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Nu-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Nu]]&nbsp;
| na + -u = nu (Mandailing)
|-
| [[File:Batak Wa-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Wa]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Wu-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Wu]]&nbsp;
| wa + -u = wu (Mandailing, Toba)
|-
| [[File:Batak Wa-3.svg|30px|link=|alt=Wa]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Wu-3.svg|30px|link=|alt=Wu]]&nbsp;
| wa + -u = wu (Pakpak, Toba)
|-
| [[File:Batak Wa-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Wa]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Wu-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Wu]]&nbsp;
| wa + -u = wu (Simalungun)
|-
| [[File:Batak Ga-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ga]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Gu-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Gu]]&nbsp;
| ga + -u = gu
|-
| [[File:Batak Ga-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ga]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Gu-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Gu]]&nbsp;
| ga + -u = gu (Simalungun)
|-
| [[File:Batak Ja.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ja]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Ju-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ju]]&nbsp;
| ja + -u = ju
|}
| valign="top"|

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" colspan="5" | Batak Script
! scope="col" | Description
|-
| [[File:Batak Da.svg|30px|link=|alt=Da]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Du-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Du]]&nbsp;
| da + -u = du
|-
| [[File:Batak Ra-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ra]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Ru-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ru]]&nbsp;
| ra + -u = ru
|-
| [[File:Batak Ra-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ra]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Ru-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ru]]&nbsp;
| ra + -u = ru (Simalungun)
|-
| [[File:Batak Ma-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ma]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Mu-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Mu]]&nbsp;
| ma + -u = mu
|-
| [[File:Batak Ma-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ma]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Mu-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Mu]]&nbsp;
| ma + -u = mu (Simalungun)
|-
| [[File:Batak Ta-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ta]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Tu-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Tu]]&nbsp;
| ta + -u = tu
|-
| [[File:Batak Ta-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ta]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Tu-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Tu]]&nbsp;
| ta + -u = tu
|-
| [[File:Batak Sa-1, Ca-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Sa]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Su-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Su]]&nbsp;
| sa + -u = su (Pakpak)
|-
| [[File:Batak Sa-3.svg|30px|link=|alt=Sa]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Su-4.svg|30px|link=|alt=Su]]&nbsp;
| sa + -u = su (Mandailing)
|-
| [[File:Batak Sa-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Sa]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Su-4.svg|30px|link=|alt=Su]]&nbsp;
| sa + -u = su (Mandailing)
|-
| [[File:Batak Sa-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Sa]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U for Simalungun Su.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Su-3.svg|30px|link=|alt=Su]]&nbsp;
| sa + -u = su (Simalungun)
|-
| [[File:Batak Ya-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ya]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Yu-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Yu]]&nbsp;
| ya + -u = yu
|-
| [[File:Batak Ya-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ya]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Yu-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Yu]]&nbsp;
| ya + -u = yu (Simalungun)
|-
| [[File:Batak Nga.svg|30px|link=|alt=Nga]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Ngu-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ngu]]&nbsp;
| nga + -u = ngu
|-
| [[File:Batak La-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=La]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Lu-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Lu]]&nbsp;
| la + -u = lu
|-
| [[File:Batak La-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=La]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Lu-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Lu]]&nbsp;
| la + -u = lu (Simalungun)
|-
| [[File:Batak Ca-2, Nya.svg|30px|link=|alt=Nya]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Nyu-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Nyu]]&nbsp;
| nya + -u = nyu
|-
| [[File:Batak Ca-4.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ca]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Cu-4.svg|30px|link=|alt=Cu]]&nbsp;
| ca + -u = cu (Mandailing)
|}
|}

===Tompi===

In Mandailing, the diacritic ''tompi'' can be used to change the sound of some characters:

{| class="wikitable"
|+ tompi
|-
! scope="col" | ha
! scope="col" style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
! scope="col" | tompi
! scope="col" style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
! scope="col" | ka
! scope="col" | sa
! scope="col" style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
! scope="col" | tompi
! scope="col" style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
! scope="col" | ca
|-
| rowspan=2 | [[File:Batak Ha-3.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ha]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" rowspan=3 | &nbsp;+
| rowspan=2 |[[File:Batak sign tompi.svg|33px|link=|alt=tompi]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" rowspan=3 | =&nbsp;
| rowspan=2 |[[File:Batak Ka-3.svg|30px|link=|alt=A]]&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Sa-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ha]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign tompi.svg|33px|link=|alt=tompi]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Ca-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=A]]&nbsp;
|-
| [[File:Batak Sa-3.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ha]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+
| [[File:Batak sign tompi.svg|33px|link=|alt=tompi]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =&nbsp;
| [[File:Batak Ca-4.svg|30px|link=|alt=A]]&nbsp;
|}

===Placement of diacritics for Ng and H===
The diacritics for Ng ([[File:Batak sign Ng.svg|30px|link=|alt=-Ng]]) and H ([[File:Batak sign H.svg|30px|link=|alt=-H]]) are usually written above spacing vowel diacritics instead of above the base character.<br>
Examples: [[File:Batak syllable ping.svg|baseline|30px|link=|alt=Ping]] ping, [[File:Batak syllable pong.svg|baseline|30px|link=|alt=Pong]] pong, [[File:Batak syllable peh.svg|baseline|30px|link=|alt=Peh]] peh, and [[File:Batak syllable pih.svg|baseline|30px|link=|alt=Pih]] pih.

===Diacritic reordering for closed syllables===

Vowel diacritics are reordered for closed syllables (that is, syllables where the final consonant has no vowel). Consonants with no vowel are marked by the Batak ''pangolat'' or ''panongonan'' diacritic, depending on the language.

When they are used for a closed syllable (like "tip"), both the vowel diacritic and the pangolat or panongonan are written at the end of the syllable.

Examples of closed syllables using ''pangolat'':

{| class="wikitable"
|+ reordering
|-
! scope="col" | ta
! scope="col" style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+&nbsp;
! scope="col" | vowel
! scope="col" style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+&nbsp;
! scope="col" | pa
! scope="col" style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;+&nbsp;
! scope="col" | pangolat
! scope="col" style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | &nbsp;=&nbsp;
! scope="col" | syllable
|- align="center"
| [[File:Batak Ta-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ta]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | 
| 
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| [[File:Batak Pa-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Pa]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| [[File:Batak sign mute-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=pangolat]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =
| [[File:Batak syllable tap.svg|70px|link=|alt=Tap]]
|- align="center" style="border-top:#aaaaaa hidden;"
| ta
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | 
| 
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| pa
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| pangolat
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =
| tap
|- align="center"
| [[File:Batak Ta-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ta]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| [[File:Batak sign E-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=-E]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| [[File:Batak Pa-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Pa]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| [[File:Batak sign mute-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=pangolat]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =
| [[File:Batak syllable tep-2.svg|70px|link=|alt=Tep]]
|- align="center" style="border-top:#aaaaaa hidden;"
| ta
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| e
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| pa
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| pangolat
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =
| tep
|- align="center"
| [[File:Batak Ta-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ta]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| [[File:Batak sign E-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=-E]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| [[File:Batak Pa-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Pa]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| [[File:Batak sign mute-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=pangolat]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =
| [[File:Batak syllable tep-1.svg|80px|link=|alt=Tep]]
|- align="center" style="border-top:#aaaaaa hidden;"
| ta
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| e
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| pa
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| pangolat
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =
| tep
|- align="center"
| [[File:Batak Ta-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ta]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| [[File:Batak sign I-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=-I]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| [[File:Batak Pa-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Pa]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| [[File:Batak sign mute-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=pangolat]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =
| [[File:Batak syllable tip.svg|84px|link=|alt=Tip]]
|- align="center" style="border-top:#aaaaaa hidden;"
| ta
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| i
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| pa
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| pangolat
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =
| tip
|- align="center"
| [[File:Batak Ta-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ta]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| [[File:Batak sign O-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=-O]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| [[File:Batak Pa-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Pa]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| [[File:Batak sign mute-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=pangolat]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =
| [[File:Batak syllable top.svg|86px|link=|alt=Top]]
|- align="center" style="border-top:#aaaaaa hidden;"
| ta
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| o
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| pa
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| pangolat
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =
| top
|- align="center"
| [[File:Batak Ta-2.svg|30px|link=|alt=Ta]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| [[File:Batak sign U.svg|30px|link=|alt=-U]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| [[File:Batak Pa-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=Pa]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| [[File:Batak sign mute-1.svg|30px|link=|alt=pangolat]]
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =
| [[File:Batak syllable tup.svg|70px|link=|alt=Tup]]
|- align="center" style="border-top:#aaaaaa hidden;"
| ta
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| u
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| pa
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | +
| pangolat
| style="border-left:#aaaaaa hidden;border-right:#aaaaaa hidden;" | =
| tup
|}

==Punctuation and ornaments==

Batak is normally written without spaces or punctuation (as [[scriptio continua]]). However, special marks or [[Bindu (symbol)|bindu]] are occasionally used.

They vary greatly in size and design from manuscript to manuscript.

{| class="wikitable" 
|+ bindu
|-
! scope="col" | Examples
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Function
|-
| [[File:Batak bindu na metek-1.svg|center|30px|link=|alt=bindu na metek]]
|rowspan=2| Bindu na metek (small bindu)
|rowspan=3| Begins paragraphs and stanzas
|-
| [[File:Batak bindu na metek-2.svg|center|30px|link=|alt=bindu na metek]]
|-
| [[File:Batak bindu pinarboras.svg|center|30px|link=|alt=bindu pinarboras]]
| Bindu panarboras (rice-shaped bindu)
|-
| [[File:Batak bindu judul.svg|center|30px|link=|alt=bindu judul]]
| Bindu judul (title bindu)
| Separates a title from the body of the text
|-
| [[File:Batak bindu pangolat.svg|center|30px|link=|alt=bindu pangolat]]
| Bindu pangolat
| Trailing punctuation
|}

==Unicode==

Batak script was added to the [[Unicode]] Standard in October 2010 with the release of version 6.0.

===Block===

{{Main|Batak (Unicode block)}}

The Unicode block for Batak is U+1BC0&ndash;U+1BFF:

{{Unicode chart Batak}}

==Gallery==

<gallery>
File:Paper Museum in Atlanta 010.JPG|Batak book about the art of divination from a [[rooster]] ([[Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking]] in Atlanta, Georgia, USA)
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Bamboe tabaks- en wichelkoker met Bataks schrift TMnr 512-4.jpg|Batak script carved into a bamboo tube with wooden stopper ([[Tropenmuseum|Museum of the Tropics]] in Amsterdam, the Netherlands)
File:Bamboo with Batak script.jpg|Bamboo inscribed with Simalungun Batak script ([[National Museum of Ethnology (Netherlands)|National Museum of Ethnology in Leiden, The Netherlands]])
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Wichelboekje van palmblad TMnr 5991-6.jpg|Batak palm leaf book ([[Tropenmuseum|Museum of the Tropics]] in Amsterdam, the Netherlands)
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Wichelboek met formules recepten en voorschriften die worden toegepast door de priester-genezer TMnr 1581-1.jpg|Book of formulas, recipes, and rules applied by Batak priests ([[Tropenmuseum|Museum of the Tropics]] in Amsterdam, the Netherlands)
File:Book of Wizards Batak Indonesia.jpg|Magic book used by priests of the Toba Batak tribe ([[National Museum of Ethnology (Netherlands)|National Museum of Ethnology in Leiden, The Netherlands]])
File:Manuscript in Toba-Batak language, central Sumatra, early 1800s - Robert C. Williams Paper Museum - DSC00360.JPG|Manuscript in Batak Toba language, central Sumatra, early 1800s. ([[Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking]] in Atlanta, Georgia, USA)
File:Batak Pustaha = Magic Book, leaf 73.tif|alt=Batak Pustaha|[[Pustaha|Batak Pustaha]] (Magic Book) ([[SOAS, University of London|SOAS University of London]]) - '''[https://digital.soas.ac.uk/l/LOAA005798/00004/ entire manuscript viewable online]'''
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Sitopayan I inscription]], 13th century usage of mixed Malay and Batak scripts

== Notes ==
<references group="note" />
==Citations==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
* {{Cite book
  | last = Kozok
  | first = Uli
  | title = Surat Batak: Sejarah Perkembangan Tulisan Batak : Berikut Pedoman Menulis Aksara Batak Dan Cap Si Singamangaraja XII
  | publisher = Gramedia
  | date = January 2009
  | location = Jakarta
  | language = id
  | isbn = 978-979-9101-53-2 }}

* {{Citation
  | last1 = Everson | first1 = Michael
  | author1-link = Michael Everson
  | last2 = Kozok| first2 = Uli
  | title = N3320R: Proposal for encoding the Batak script in the UCS
  | date = 7 October 2008
  | url = https://www.unicode.org/wg2/docs/n3320.pdf }}

* {{Cite web
  | last = Kozok
  | first = Uli
  | title = Kursus Kilat Aksara Batak (Quick Course in Batak Script)
  | language = id
  | url = http://www.hawaii.edu/indolang/surat/kursus.html
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20021031234050/http://www.hawaii.edu/indolang/surat/kursus.html
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 31 October 2002
  | access-date = 20 April 2011 }}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Batak letters}}
* Entry on [http://www.omniglot.com/writing/batak.htm Batak] at [http://www.omniglot.com/writing/ Omniglot.com – A guide to writing systems]
* [http://transtoba2.seige.net Transtoba2] – Roman to Toba Batak script transliteration software by Uli Kozok and Leander Seige (GNU GPL)
*[https://digital.soas.ac.uk/LOAA005798/00004 Full Batak manuscript] at SOAS University of London.

{{Kawi family}}
{{list of writing systems}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Batak Script}}
[[Category:Indonesian scripts]]
[[Category:Brahmic scripts]]
[[Category:North Sumatra]]
[[Category:Batak]]