0x02B9

0x02B9, or U+02B9, is the Unicode code point assigned to the character MODIFIER LETTER PRIME (ʹ). It sits in the Spacing Modifier Letters block of the Unicode Basic Multilingual Plane and is categorized as a modifier letter (general category Lm). The glyph appears as a small prime-like mark and is distinct from the typical apostrophe or mathematical prime.

In terms of encoding, U+02B9 is represented in UTF-8 as a two-byte sequence. Like other code points in this range, it is encoded differently from ASCII punctuation but is designed to be printable in standard fonts that support the Unicode range.

Usage of the symbol is primarily linguistic. It functions as a modifier letter in various phonetic transcription schemes and orthographies, where its exact meaning can vary by language and transcription system. It is not intended to serve as general punctuation and should not be conflated with the ASCII apostrophe or with typographic quote marks. Rendering and interpretation can differ between fonts and applications, so environments handling phonetic notation may provide specific guidance on its usage.

Related characters in the same Unicode block or nearby modifier-letter code points serve similar functions in transcription and notation. The MODIFIER LETTER PRIME is part of a broader set of modifier letters used to encode phonetic and transliteration notation across languages while remaining distinct from standard punctuation and letters.