Tifinagh ↔ Latin converter

Source text

Result

This tool transcribes Amazigh text written in Tifinagh into the Latin alphabet, following IRCAM conventions. It also works in reverse: type “azul” in Latin letters and you get ⴰⵣⵓⵍ.

How to use

Choose the direction: Tifinagh → Latin or Latin → Tifinagh.
Paste your text into the source box, or type it in.
When typing Latin, use ɛ and ɣ, or 3 and gh if your keyboard lacks them.
Check the output, then copy it wherever you need it.

From Tifinagh to Latin, the IRCAM way

The transcription follows the Royal Institute of Amazigh Culture (IRCAM): one Tifinagh letter maps to one Latin letter. Most are obvious (ⴱ = b, ⵎ = m, ⵏ = n). The rest use special signs:

Tifinagh	Latin	Tifinagh	Latin
ⵄ	ɛ	ⵖ	ɣ
ⴹ	ḍ	ⵃ	ḥ
ⵕ	ṛ	ⵚ	ṣ
ⵟ	ṭ	ⵥ	ẓ
ⵅ	x	ⵛ	c
ⴳⵯ	gʷ	ⴽⵯ	kʷ

In ḍ, ṛ, ṣ, ṭ and ẓ, the dot below marks an emphatic consonant, pronounced with the tongue pulled back. Keep in mind that x sounds like “kh” and c sounds like “sh”. As an example, ⵜⴰⵏⵎⵎⵉⵔⵜ (“thank you”) comes out as “tanmmirt”.

From Latin to Tifinagh, letter by letter

In this direction, the tool replaces each Latin letter with the matching Tifinagh letter and does not try to recognise words. You can type the IRCAM signs (ɛ, ɣ, ḍ, ṣ…) or these simpler stand-ins:

“gh” → ⵖ
“kh” → ⵅ
“ch” or “sh” → ⵛ
“3” → ⵄ

For instance, “tamazight” gives ⵜⴰⵎⴰⵣⵉⵖⵜ. Since the conversion is literal, a typo ends up in the result exactly as typed, so read it over before copying. For emphatic letters, enter ḍ, ṣ or ṭ directly, or correct them afterwards on the keyboard.

Writing and learning Tifinagh

For longer texts, the Tifinagh keyboard shows every letter on screen, emphatic and labialised ones included. If the script is new to you, the Tifinagh alphabet lists the name and Latin value of all 33 letters.

Both scripts have their uses. Tifinagh fits a poster, an invitation or school material, while Latin is handy for a quick message or a web search. This converter saves you from retyping everything when you need to switch.

Frequently asked questions

How do I transcribe Tifinagh into Latin letters?

Select Tifinagh → Latin and paste your text. Every letter is replaced by its equivalent in the usual IRCAM transcription, so ⵜⴰⵎⴰⵣⵉⵖⵜ becomes “tamaziɣt”.

What sounds do ɛ and ɣ stand for in Tamazight?

They are two letters of the Latin spelling of Amazigh. ɛ matches ⵄ, a throat sound close to Arabic ع, and ɣ matches ⵖ, close to Arabic غ or a French guttural “r”.

How can I type ɣ or ɛ on a normal keyboard?

In the Latin → Tifinagh direction, the tool accepts shortcuts: “gh” gives ⵖ, “3” gives ⵄ, “kh” gives ⵅ, and “ch” or “sh” give ⵛ. You can therefore type these letters without any special characters.

What does the small ʷ in gʷ and kʷ mean?

It marks a labialised consonant, said with rounded lips. In Tifinagh it is written with the sign ⵯ after the letter, so ⴳⵯ is transcribed gʷ and ⴽⵯ is transcribed kʷ.

Why does my Tifinagh text show up as boxes for other people?

Their device has no font that can display Unicode Tifinagh. The text itself is fine and becomes readable with a suitable font such as Noto Sans Tifinagh. Meanwhile, you can send them the Latin version made with this tool.