The spelling of the word "jatta" can cause confusion due to its pronunciation. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is spelt as /dʒætə/, with the "j" sound represented by the symbol "dʒ", which is a combination of "d" and "ʒ". The "a" is pronounced as "æ", similar to the "a" in "cat", and the final syllable is pronounced with a schwa vowel sound represented by the symbol "ə". It is important to note the difference between the "j" sound in "jatta" and the "y" sound in "yatta".
The word "jatta" is derived from Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language. In Sanskrit, the term is "jata" (जट), which refers to matted, twisted, or tangled hair, often associated with dreadlocks. Over time, the word is believed to have passed into various languages and dialects, including Punjabi and Hindi, where it became "jatta". In Punjabi culture, "jatta" specifically refers to individuals who have long, uncut hair, which carries religious and cultural significance in Sikhism.