At the end of a word, the same symbol sometimes represents a very short vowel, known as “half-u”, or “samvruthokaram” (, '), or ' (). The exact pronunciation of this vowel varies from dialect to dialect, but it is approximately or , and transliterated as ŭ (for example, "na" → "nŭ"). Optionally, a vowel sign "u" is inserted, as in (= + + ). According to one author, this alternative form is historically more correct, though the simplified form without a vowel sign "u" is common nowadays. This means that the same spelling may represent either "n" or "nŭ" depending on the context. Generally, it is "nŭ" at the end of a word, and "n" elsewhere; always represents "nŭ".