The Tagalog Unicode block is a designated range in the Unicode Standard that is dedicated to representing the historical Baybayin script, which was historically used in the Philippines. This block is coded from U+1700 to U+171F and contains characters that were predominantly used for writing Tagalog, one of the major languages of the Philippines. The script, also referred to as Alibata, is an abugida system, meaning that each consonant-vowel syllable is typically represented by a single character, with diacritical marks used to modify the inherent vowel sound. This script was in use among early Filipinos before the arrival of Spanish colonizers, who introduced the Latin alphabet.
In the context of Unicode, the Tagalog block encompasses a set of characters that reflect the traditional writing system, facilitating the digital representation and preservation of this significant aspect of Filipino heritage. With the inclusion of the Baybayin characters, modern technology can support historical research, education, and cultural revitalization efforts. Efforts to preserve and revitalize the use of Baybayin are ongoing, and the inclusion of this script in Unicode aids in these cultural endeavors by allowing for accurate digital communication in the script, ensuring that it remains accessible for future generations interested in exploring and maintaining their linguistic heritage.
View a range of fonts that support the Tagalog block.
Below you will find all the characters that are in the Tagalog unicode block. Currently there are 23 characters in this block.