Modifier letter left half ring
The modifier letter left half ring ⟨⟩ is a character of the Unicode Spacing Modifier Letters range (although it is not a modifier but a standalone grapheme), used in romanization to transliterate the Semitic letter ayin after it was used by The Encyclopedia of Islam—later the International Journal of Middle East Studies— , representing the sound /ʕ/ (a voiced pharyngeal fricative, Arabic ع ʿayn). In informal contexts, the backtick ⟨⟩ or the apostrophe ⟨⟩ is commonly used as a substitute.

See also
 Modifier letter right half ring
 Half ring
 Apostrophe
 Spiritus asper

References

Phonetic transcription symbols