Láadan/Lessons/1
Letters in Láadan
| Letter | Pronunciation | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| a | father | /ɑ/ |
| e | bell | /ɛ/ |
| i | big | /ɪ/ |
| o | hope | /o/ |
| u | moon | /u/ |
| th | think | /θ/ |
| zh | pleasure | /ʒ/ |
| sh | shine | /ʃ/ |
| lh | - | /ɬ/ |
| b | aback | /b/ |
| d | dream | /d/ |
| h | high | /h/ |
| l | wealth | /l/ |
| m | him | /m/ |
| n | month | /n/ |
| r | red | /ɹ/ |
| w | weep | /w/ |
| y | you | /j/ |
Note that words cannot end with the letters "h", "w", or "y".
Accented Vowels
A letter with an accent mark gets pronounced with a slightly higher pitch, and slightly more emphasis.
- Low tone has no accent mark – o
- High tone has an accent mark – ó
With two vowels side-by-side, there can be an accent on the first vowel or the second vowel. These have different sounds:
- Loó – LoO
- Lóo – LOo
There is no break in-between the vowel sounds, but a change in pitch.
If you're at a computer where you cannot type accent marks, it is usually suggested to write accented characters as caps. For example: LAadan.
Typing accented characters
If you're on Windows, you can use these keycodes to type accented characters.
- Hold the left ALT key and keep it pressed down.
- On your numpad, type the number code.
| á | 0225 | Á | 0193 | é | 0233 | É | 0201 | |||
| í | 0237 | Í | 0205 | ó | 0243 | Ó | 0211 | |||
| ú | 0250 | Ú | 0218 |
You can also install keyboards in your operating system, or even add a plugin to your web-browser to allow you to add these letters in while you're typing.
Euphony
When combining words together in Láadan, specific letters may be added in-between to enforce the rule that no two consonants and no two vowels (of the same tone) touch.
1. Split up double-consonants with the letter "e".
Example: hesh = grass, hoth = place, hesh+e+hoth = heshehoth = park.
2. Split up double-vowels with the same accents with the letter "h".
Example: ra = not, en = understand, ra+h+en = rahen = misunderstand
3. Two vowels next to each other are only allowed if one of them is accented.
Example: Láadan, Aáláan
Note: There are rare words with the "br" sound, and this is allowed. [1] (example, onion = bremeda)
Beginner Phrases
Let's introduce a few basic phrases so you can practice the sounds!
| Láadan | English | Literal |
|---|---|---|
| Wil sha | Hello | Let there be harmony |
| Aril | Goodbye | Later |
Practice
Let's try to transliterate names! Remember these core rules of Láadan:
- A consonant must be followed by a vowel
- Two vowels cannot be side-by-side, unless they are different tones
- Words cannot end with "h", "w", or "y"
Not all sounds will match 1:1 from English to Láadan. You might have to substitute a "ch" sound with a "sh" or "t", depending on preference. There is no 100% "correct" way to transliterate your name - it is your preference!
Transliteration Guide
Letters that can stay the same are:
| b | d | h | l | m | n | r | th | w |
Letters that may change:
| English Letter | Sound | Láadan Suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| a | "aeh" | a, e |
| a | "ay", "ah" | a |
| c | "ss", "ch" | sh |
| c | "k" | h, sh, or remove |
| e | "eh", "ay" | e |
| e | "EE" | i |
| f | h, sh | |
| g | like girl | d, b, h, zh, or remove |
| g | like gem | zh |
| i | "ih", "EE" | i |
| i | "ai" | a |
| j | zh | |
| k | h, sh, or remove | |
| ng | n | |
| o | "OH" | o |
| o | "aw" | a, o |
| p | b | |
| q | h, sh, or remove | |
| s | "ss" | sh |
| s | "zz" | zh |
| t | th | |
| u | "uh" | a |
| u | "yew" | yu, u |
| u | "ooh" | u |
| v | b, w | |
| x | sh | |
| y | "yuh" | y |
| y | "ai" | a |
| y | "ih" | i |
| y | "EE" | i |
| z | zh |
Examples
- Abbey → Abi
- Cyrus → Sharash
- Emma → Ima
- Ethan → Ithen
- Holly → Hali
- Jacob → Zhehab
- Michael → Mahel
- Olivia → Olibiha, Oliba
- Rachel → Reshal
- Rose → Rozh
- Scarlet → Shalith
- Walt → Wal
Alternatively, you could also look up the meaning of your name and find the same word in Láadan.
Examples
- Rachel → Female sheep → Éesh
- Rose → Shahina
- Cyrus → Young → Háa