From Airbus FCTM and from instructor support :
FLIGHT MODE ANNUNCIATOR
The FMA is located at the top of the PFD screens. It is divided into 5 columns
which indicate the operational modes of the AP, A/THR and FD. The columns
are numbered from the left and indicate the following:
The relation between the pilot input on the stick and the aircraft response is called the CONTROL LAW which determines the HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS of the A/C.