Lao script (ອັກສອນລາວ, Akson Lao) is an abugida writing system derived from the ancient Khom script, related to but distinct from Thai script. The script reads left to right and consists of 27 consonant letters grouped into three tone classes, along with vowel signs that are positioned above, below, before, after, or surrounding the consonant they modify. Unlike English, there are no capital letters and historically no spaces between words — though modern printed materials typically add spaces between word groups for readability.
Lao is a tonal language with six tones in standard Vientiane Lao. Tone is determined by a combination of the consonant class, vowel length, and tone marks. This tonal structure means that a single romanized syllable may represent multiple distinct Lao words depending on tone — a critical consideration during translation, as misidentifying a tone can completely change meaning. Our Lao translators have native-level fluency and deep expertise in official written Lao, which uses a formal register distinct from everyday spoken Lao.
Lao name romanization presents challenges similar to Thai: there is no single universally enforced standard for converting Lao script to Latin characters. The Lao government uses its own system, but individual names are often romanized inconsistently across different documents. Our policy is to match the romanization on the individual's passport when available and to include original Lao script alongside any romanized form to prevent identity discrepancies at immigration checkpoints.
