ç
Latin Small C with Cedilla
The c-cedilla (ç) transforms the hard 'c' sound into a soft 's' sound in French, Portuguese, Turkish, and other languages, serving over 300 million speakers worldwide and maintaining essential phonetic distinctions in international communication.
Technical Details
- ASCII Code
- 231
- HTML Entity
- ç
- Hexadecimal
- 0xE7
- Binary
- 11100111
- Octal
- 347
Usage & Examples
Programming
char symbol = 'ç'; // ASCII 231HTML/Web
ç or çCommon Uses
How to Type This Character
Windows
Mac
💡 Pro tip: The fastest way is to bookmark this page or copy the character from our ASCII library!
Related Characters
About the Latin Small C with Cedilla
Phonetic Transformation
Changes the pronunciation of 'c' from a hard /k/ sound to a soft /s/ sound, creating entirely different meanings and words. This phonetic shift is crucial for proper pronunciation and comprehension in multiple languages with Romance and Turkic origins.
French Language Foundation
Essential to French orthography and pronunciation, appearing in fundamental words like 'français' (French), 'garçon' (boy), and 'façade' (facade). Critical for authentic French communication and proper linguistic representation of French culture.
Portuguese Significance
Integral to Portuguese spelling and pronunciation across Brazil (200+ million speakers) and Portugal, appearing in common words and proper nouns. Essential for business communication, cultural exchange, and authentic Portuguese representation.
International Business
Required for proper representation of French and Portuguese company names, place names, and personal names in international business, legal documents, and official communications. Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and professional accuracy.
History of the Latin Small C with Cedilla
Old French Development
French scribes developed the cedilla (from Spanish 'cedilla' meaning 'little z') to indicate the soft 'c' sound that had evolved from Latin, preserving phonetic accuracy in written French.
Portuguese Adoption
Portuguese writers adopted the cedilla for similar phonetic needs, establishing it as a fundamental element of Portuguese orthography that spread throughout the Portuguese colonial empire.
Turkish Integration
Turkish adopted the c-cedilla during language reforms, using it to represent the 'ch' sound (/tʃ/) and distinguishing it from the hard 'c' sound, becoming essential to modern Turkish orthography.
Global Standardization
International typography and linguistic standards codified c-cedilla usage across Romance languages and Turkish, ensuring consistent representation in academic, diplomatic, and commercial contexts.
Digital Globalization
Unicode standards and international keyboards made c-cedilla accessible worldwide, enabling authentic French, Portuguese, and Turkish communication in digital environments and global business.
Cultural Impact
The c-cedilla became a symbol of linguistic sophistication and cultural identity, enabling millions of speakers to maintain their phonetic heritage while participating in global digital communication.
Usage Examples
French Vocabulary
ExampleCommon French words requiring cedilla for proper pronunciation
Portuguese Language
ExampleEssential Portuguese words using c-cedilla for soft 'c' sound
Geographic Names
ExampleProper nouns and place names requiring authentic spelling
International Business
ExampleBrand names and cultural terms in global commerce