ˬ

ˬ (Modifier Letter Voicing, U+02EC) is a specialized character predominantly employed in phonetics and linguistics to denote subtle vocal qualities. Visually, it appears as a small, comma-like mark, often described as a rotated half-ring, positioned slightly below the baseline. As a "modifier letter," it doesn't combine with a base character like a diacritic but stands independently, modifying the sound of the preceding letter. Its primary function is to indicate *partial voicing* or *devoicing* of a consonant. For example, when used after a normally voiceless sound, it suggests that the sound has acquired some degree of voicing, offering phoneticians a precise tool within systems like the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) to capture nuanced variations in human speech that might otherwise be overlooked.