Learn superscript phonetic symbols
Add raised phonetic modifiers deliberately rather than treating them as decorative small letters. Use the Superscript symbols layout to enter aspiration and compare it with other secondary articulations and release markings.
VIDEO TUTORIAL
Type raised phonetic modifiers
Insert the Unicode aspiration modifier after a supplied consonant with the Superscript symbols keyboard.
English narration Captions: English
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What you’ll learn
- Distinguish encoded modifier letters from ordinary text styled as superscript.
- Explain the different roles of ʰ, ʷ, ʲ and ⁿ in IPA notation.
- Insert a supplied modifier immediately after its consonant base.
A few symbols, a clearer picture
Aspiration
The raised modifier marks aspiration associated with the consonant, not a separate ordinary h segment.
Labialization
The modifier marks accompanying lip rounding in this schematic consonant example.
Palatalization
The modifier marks an accompanying palatal articulation, distinct from a following full-sized j.
Nasal release
The raised n marks nasal release of the consonant, rather than simply writing a separate n segment.
Raised letters can carry phonetic meaning
Small size does not make a symbol optional or merely visual.
Read the explanation
In IPA notation, ʰ marks aspiration, ʷ labialization and ʲ palatalization. These marks add information to a base segment. The difference between tʰ and th is not just the final letter’s size: full-sized h can be read as a separate segment. Use the symbol required by the analysis, not whichever version is easiest to style.
The keyboard inserts encoded characters such as U+02B0 ʰ and U+02B7 ʷ. It does not apply a word processor’s superscript format to arbitrary selected text. Unicode includes modifier letters for particular technical uses, alongside some compatibility superscripts; that inventory is not a complete miniature alphabet for every formatting need.
Aspiration notation differs from a sequence containing ordinary h.
Distinguish articulation from release
Similar raised shapes can encode different kinds of observation.
Read the explanation
Labialization and palatalization describe accompanying articulatory configurations. Nasal release, written with ⁿ, concerns how a closure is released. These are different claims, even though the marks appear in a similar position. Do not add them as a generic sign that a consonant is unusual, emphasized or difficult to pronounce.
A detailed transcription should state which distinctions are relevant and supported by the task or speech data. More modifiers do not automatically mean greater accuracy. Our examples are schematic comparisons, not claims about English words. For real data, explain the language-specific analysis whenever a mark’s interpretation might otherwise be uncertain.
One marks labialization; the other marks nasal release.
Read the keyboard as a practical grouping
The page combines spacing modifiers with some above-base combining marks.
Read the explanation
The unshifted layout provides ʰ at h, ʷ at w, ʲ at j and ⁿ at n. Other keys contain combining tone or diacritic marks rather than raised letters. Superscript symbols is therefore a navigation label, not an official IPA category or a universal superscript conversion function. Shift and Alt Gr reveal additional mapped entries.
Combining marks are displayed with a dotted circle when isolated so their shape is visible. The inserted value is the mark itself. Place a base first, then add the intended mark immediately afterward. For the tutorial, disable Smart IPA suggestions and use the visible ʰ key to focus on a spacing modifier rather than a popup choice.
Two confirmed unshifted modifier-letter mappings.
Mark aspiration on a supplied consonant
Choose the modifier layout
Select Superscript symbols. Turn Smart IPA suggestions off and leave Shift and Alt Gr off.
Prepare a base
Paste [t] into a fresh line. Place the caret after t and before the closing bracket so the modifier follows the consonant.
Insert the modifier
Click the on-screen ʰ key at the h position once. Check that there is no ordinary h or space between t and the modifier.
Inspect and reuse
Read the result as an aspirated consonant, then use Copy text. In your destination document, confirm that the modifier remains a distinct raised character.
Check your understanding
Try each question, then compare your reasoning with the explanation. These exercises stay on this page and do not change your editor text.
Using this in study or professional work
Keep a legend for the modifiers used in a dataset. Check character identity and font support when sharing transcripts, particularly if a document mixes encoded modifiers with ordinary rich-text superscripts.
Listen to the IPA’s recorded chartListening opens the International Phonetic Association website. Exercises here practice notation and interpretation; they do not assess pronunciation.