Niádlíc Language

A sample of the Zimaren script!

Writing System

There are three systems used to write the Niádlíc language: Zimaren script, the Latin Alphabet, and the Altered Latin Alphabet.
Way back when, all Niádlíc speakers used Zimaren, which is a collection of symbols most resembling the Greek Alphabet. Zimaren is derived from the Niádlíc word for borrowed, as Niádlíc uses a Greek-like script despite not being a Greek based language. Each symbol makes it's own sound, and words are spelled by those sounds. North Sea Merpeople, who traded in their click-whistle language for Niádlíc 3000 years ago, still use Zimaren to this day.
The Latin Alphabet is specifically intended for communication with Pankake Island humans, who speak English. Though words are once again spelled by sound, English phonetics are used as well. This is what you see all around my World Anvil page, and the only kind of Niádlíc that can be typed.
Finally, there's Altered Roman Alphabet, which is how Niádla hand-write their language. It contains a mix of Latin and Zimaren symbols, with subtle alterations in both alphabets.

Geographical Distribution

Spoken in and around the Pankake islands. Merfolk speak a dialect.

Syntax

Adjectives come after nouns, pronouns always go at the beginning of a statement, and when describing a person, you cannot just state someone IS something, as this is reserved for objects and concepts and is considered rude. Instead of saying "you are smart," you must say "you are of the mind." This part is still a work in progress. I will need more World Language courses to tackle it.

Vocabulary

Gashal- kitten Melora- love Seraish- peace Inora- hope

Phonetics

A- car, accented- cat E- bed I- eel, accented- gift O- rose U- blue, accented- foot some sounds not present in English, or made using different character: no x, instead German ending ich; x like character makes zzz sound; cross between j/z makes French j, nm combo present, etc. Or, another way...

How to Pronounce the Niádlíc Latin Alphabet:

First of all, it's actually pretty simple.

letter/pronunciation

• A as in car
• Á as in man
• B is in book
• c or k as in cookie
• D as in dog
• E as in egg
• F as in feather
• G as in gecko
• H as in honey
• I as in sing
• Í as in big
• J as in jete (dance move)
• L as in lemons (but slightly flipped)
• M as in mouse
• NM/mn as in a humming sound
• N as in noodle
• O as in rose
• P as in pig
• Q as in queen (“kwa”)
• R rolled, if double, flipped
• S as in hiss
• T as in star
• U as in rune
• Ú as in foot
• V as in river
• W “hwa” as in why
• X a cat’s hiss, or german “ich”
• Y as in fly
• Z as in dazzle
• Þ th as in bath
• ð th as in weather
• Ŋ “ng” as in ding
• OU as in house
• LL standalone w, as in wire

If a letter combination isn't in the table, its pronounced the same way as in English.

Dictionary

50 Words.

Spoken by

• Niadla
• Querda/ Querasarla

Common Phrases

Ith ifay inora lou ilen cora::I feel hope in my heart (do not fret) Straen Nuh Evainla :: follow the stars Pisrofi litherli’ll; lithalin’ll aym:: the spring will return; the seasons will pass.

Common Female Names

Luthalin, Ivyanelin, Luthies.

Common Male Names

Siriech, Puraquil, Arthicore.

Common Unisex Names

Etaryn, Elisin, Athish.