Dotless I

The dotless I (ı), also known as i-without-dot, is a Latin script letter used in several alphabets, most notably the Azerbaijani, Crimean Tatar, Kazakh, Tatar, Turkish, and Volga Tatar alphabets. It represents a close back unrounded vowel, /ɯ/, a sound similar to the "u" in "strut" in some English dialects.

The dotless I is the lowercase form of the dotted capital I (İ). It is distinct from the letter "i" (with a dot), which in these alphabets represents a different vowel sound (/i/).

The dotless I is an important feature for correct typography and text processing in languages that use it. Proper rendering of text requires the correct substitution of "i" with "ı" based on the language. Failure to render the dotless I correctly can lead to miscommunication and errors, as it alters the meaning of words. For instance, in Turkish, "ılık" (lukewarm) and "ilik" (marrow) are distinct words differentiated solely by the presence or absence of the dot on the "i."