The Bengali alphabet is a script used for writing the Bengali language, primarily spoken in Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal. It consists of 11 vowels and 39 consonants, making it an abugida, where each consonant has an inherent vowel sound that can be modified with diacritics. The script is written from left to right and features a distinctive horizontal line running along the top of the letters. The Bengali script is also used for other languages, such as Assamese and Manipuri, showcasing its versatility in the region.