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PiyozR’s Inkling Language Guide
(modified 12/6/2015) The following guide is a collection of phonetics, vocabulary and grammar points constructed by Splatoon players for a fan-made Inkling constructed language (or conlang). This language is not meant to serve as a guide to any in-game dialogue, lyrics, or written text. This project was undertaken partly out of the lack of actual semantics and phonetics found in the signs, apparel, and spoken gibberish within Splatoon.
This was also undertaken out of love and respect for Nintendo and their fantastic and imaginative third-person shooter. We hope that all Splatoon fans worldwide can understand our very simple conlang and use this for their own creative fun projects from comics to posters to apparel to whatever their minds can cook up. We, the language nerds of Squidboards, extend to everyone a hearty and fresh welcome to our Inkling conlang!
Looking for a particular word? Ctrl + F and type it in! We add vocab and grammar as we create them, so nothing is organized all that coherently. I’ll let you do the work.
Thanks to the following contributors for all their hard work: JosephStaleKnight (for creating all the vector images that made this guide possible), EclipseMT (for suggesting random ideas that usually made their way here), the Fizzynator (for whipping us amateurs into shape), piboy430 (for creating more vocab for this guide than me), MissingNumbers, eli, RadioactiveMoth, Rizz, OctagonalKahn, and all the other contributors on the Squidboards forums!
Official Hub Page: http://www.piyozr.com/inkopolisuniversity/
Squidboards Inkling Thread (old and disorganized): http://squidboards.com/threads/inkling-the-language-of-splatoon.195/
Squidboards Official Inkling Conlang Thread: http://squidboards.com/threads/the-fan-language-of-splatoon.2914/
Squidboards Official Octoling Conlang Sister Project Thread: http://squidboards.com/threads/inkling-fan-language-sister-project-octoling-language.7677/
Inkopolis University YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8CmgI3aWtC3NpHAzk9jWyg
Let’s begin!
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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Table of Contents Pronunciation Guide……………………………………………S1 Syllabary………………………………………………………....S2 Pronouns…………………………………………………………S3 Nouns…………………………………………………………….S4 Verbs……………………………………………………………..S5 Prepositions……………………………………………………..S6 Conjunctions…………………………………………………….S7 Descriptors………………………………………………………S8 Question Words…………………………………………………S9 Titles……………………………………………………………..S10 Directions………………………………………………………..S11 Helpful Phrases…………………………………………………S12 Interjections……………………………………………………..S13 Numbers…………………………………………………………S14 Dates, Time and Age…………………………………………..S15 Comparisons……………………………………………………S16 Passive Voice……………………………………………………S17 Possessive………………………………………………………S18 Negation…………………………………………………………S19 Imperatives………………………………………………………S20 Question Particles………………………………………………S21 Suffixes….………………………………………………………S22 Present Tense…………………………………………………..S23 Past Tense………………………………………………………S24 Present Progressive……………………………………………S25 Future Tense……………………………………………………S26 Idioms……………………………………………………….……S27 Calamari County Dialect……………………………………….S28 Inkopolis Dialect………………………………………………...S29
S1……………….…..PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
This language guide uses a notation system to translate the Inkling characters into letters than can be easily read and spoken for everyone’s convenience. Here is a brief overview of this system. The symbols on the left in {brackets} are the letters you will see throughout this guide. The symbols on the right in /slashes/ are the International Phonetic Alphabet sounds that each letter can make.
For help with International Phonetic Alphabet, here’s a brief intro to check out: http://dialectblog.com/the-international-phonetic-alphabet/ipa-tutorial/lesson-1/
Vowels {a} = /a/, /ɑ/, /ä/, /ɐ/ Varying from an American “cob” to a British “hat”. {e} = /e/, /ɛ/, /æ/ As in “play” and similar vowels. {i} = /i/, /I/ The vowels of “flee” and “fit”. May vary by placement in a word. {o} = /o/ Just like in “go”. {u} = /u/ As in a hearty “booyah”! This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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Consonants {ž} = /d͡ ʒ/, /ʒ/, /d͡ ʑ/, /ʑ/ Sounds like “jump” and “vision” are both acceptable. {r} = /r/, /ɾ/ Sounds like “red” and the Japanese “心” or “kokoro” are acceptable. {š} = /ʃ/, /ɕ/, /ʂ/ Think of “shoot”. {ŧ} = /͡ts/ Put simply, take “rats” but put that noise at the front of a syllable. {č} = /͡tʃ/, /͡tɕ/ Let’s stick with the start of “charger”.
The following consonants are identical in pronunciation to their English counterparts: {b}, {d}, {f}, {g}, {h}, {k}, {m}, {n}, {p}, {s}, {t}, {w}, {z}
The acute accent marks in the notation indicate the beginning of the syllable that receives the accent. Or the “stress”. Or the “emphasis”. For example, the word for “squid” is {diú} as in (dee-OO). The word for “good” is {beόta}, which is said like (bay-OH-ta). Think of it like “ADvertisement” and “adVERtisement” in English.
So keep an eye out accented vowels like {ú}, {ό}, {í}, {á}, {é}.
Please note that even within Inkling society, there are no strict rules for accent. The stress notation in this guide represents the bookish, “schoolhouse” form of the language. Hip, trendy Inklings in Inkopolis may speak these words in a more “street-wise” sense of informality. And when you get to the Squid Sisters’ native Calamari County, their speech will sound entirely different. In short, the stress notation in this guide is far from universal.
Another thing to keep in mind is this: Sometimes the end of one letter will match the beginning of the next letter. In the case of {bu uyo}, those two {u} noises blend together to create, essentially, {buyo}. Okay, now on with the guide.
S2……………………………..….SYLLABARY
The following is the complete Inkling alphabet. You will surely notice that there are more letters seen in Splatoon that aren’t seen here. For starters, many letters seen in game belong to the Octarian language. Let’s not bother with that.
The Inkling alphabet contains serif glyphs (shown below) and non-serif glyphs (seen on Splatfest posters and many Sunken Scrolls). Some are flipped vertically, flopped horizontally, or given a few extra markings. For simplicity’s sake, we will only include serif glyphs in this guide. Any Inkling character that you come across is some variation of the letters shown below.
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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{a} {e} {i} {o} {u} {oi}
{ba} {be} {bi} {bo}
{bu} {bai} {bie} {boi}
{da} {de} {di} {do}
{du} {fa} {fe} {fu}
{fi} {ga} {ge} {gi}
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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{go} {gu} {gai} {ha}
{he} {ho} {hu} {ža}
{že} {ži} {žie} {žo}
{žu} {ka} {ke} {ki}
{ko} {ku} {kai} {koi}
{ma} {me} {mi} {mo}
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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{mu} {mai} {na} {ne}
{ni} {no} {nu} {nai}
{noi} {pa} {pe} {pi}
{po} {pu} {pai} {pie}
{ra} {rai} {re} {ri}
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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{ro} {ru} {rie} {sa}
{se} {su} {si} {so}
{sai} {ša} {še} {šo}
{šu} {ši} {šai} {ta} {te}
{ti} {to} {tu} {tai}
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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{ŧa} {ŧu} {ča} {či}
{wa} {wu} {we} {wai}
{za} {ze} {zi} {zo}
{zu} {zai} {zoi} {zie}
{eyo} {eya} {eyu} {uye}
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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{uya} {uyo} {ayo} {ayu}
{oye} {iyo} {oya} {iya}
{oyu} {iyu} {uno} {ise}
{ena} {ati} {ane} {ota}
S3……………………………..………PRONOUNS
Singular Plural
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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First Person {i} {nόi} (I, Me) (We, Us)
Second Person {pa} {enápa} (You) (You, Y’All)
Third Person {zόi} {búyo} (It, She, He) (They)
S4………………………..………………….….NOUNS
This arrangement of nouns was tailored to help ambitious Turf Warriors talk about combat, equipment, and other elements of Inkling life. Very few here were assembled from assets in Splatoon. Most were constructed from scratch. You may notice some carry- overs from old simian languages.
{tenό} {diú} {múyo zόi} {piésu zόi} Human Squid Inkling Octarian
{péžuki} {ŧúbi zόi} {sáodo} {éčize} Sheldon Judd Spyke Jelonzo
{anéna} {ŧuká} {žožamái}
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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Annie Moe Crusty Sean
{múyo} {waikitígo} {pekόi} {sišú} Ink Squid Sisters Callie Marie
{mižúo náipie} {piésu náipie} {seiserái} Inkopolis Octo Valley Arena
{šipúwe} {eyumái} {ayomái} {oizόi} Battle Boy Girl Jellyfish
{pežú} {ŧurόži} {hunépo} {patá} Gun Charger Brush Hat
{unόno} {tičá} {uyarédu} {maiyoéyu} Shoe Clothing Cat Dog
{pogái} {ŧudí} {šudí} {nahόzu} Day Week Year Second
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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{dehόzu} {bimízu} {sawéyo} {ayoríta} Hour Minute Month Mall
{goníba} {hunága} {náipie} Park Mountain City
{uyoséže} {eyapabόi} {réyuže} Machine Bread Rice
{šáoyu} {náizi} {sigunái} Bowl Friend Enemy
{mainuéyu} {mainuáyo} Boyfriend Girlfriend
{šidé zόi} {Žepáiyo zόi} {iyáe zόi} Fanboy/Fangirl Expert/Fiend King/Queen
{sofúru zόi} {béya beόta dáoyu} Champion Splatfest
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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{Žubόi} {žamá} {nežúzu} Water Hindrance/Nuisance Tentacle
{edá} {denáša} {ekí} Line, Stroke Train Station
{bόi} {piésu} {dutí} {fénaze} Language Octoling Team Building
{ikόre oéi} {beόta oéi} {dižé} Fad Fashion Music, Song
{dižé zόi} {gobí} {gobí múyo} DJ Strike, Blast Inkstrike
{badáido} {éyaŧu} {zόito} Way, Path, Method Fist, Hand Punch
{zoú} {táisi} {riépo} Staff, Stick Peace Mind
{kiží} {kié} {máme gáize} Energy “Qi”, Breath, Aura Alcoholic Drink
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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{busé} {náina} {čimáike} Tea Milk Soda, Pop
{ninuténo} {íyawu} {bohόmi} God Fear Squad
Kraken Price Money Rainmaker {zaŧadíu} {nedána} {suráže} {zizaipéžu}
Rank Battle Area, Zone Tower {gačí šipúwe} {mamái} {žamepái}
Color Skin Eye {eyásu} {pifá} {oyáe}
Looks, Appearance Beginner, Novice, Newbie Balloon {bihémo} {káiso zόi} {fetafé}
Camera Grate, Fence Sea, Ocean {žažúzi} {refá} {haižúme}
Bomb Wall School Party {kapáo} {mará} {mišáiya} {wagú}
College, University High School Grade School {dága mišáiya} {όyo mišáiya} {zapí mišáiya}
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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Book, Scroll Reader Text Author {eyόme} {eyόme zόi} {hážu} {hážu zόi}
World Everything Everyone Gender, Sex {sakéi} {maézi} {maezόi} {eyuáyo}
Sea Urchin Tiger Thought Idea {odό} {rédu} {káno} {kiyokáno}
Light Sun Moon Sky {birá} {haíyo} {ŧúge} {zarái}
Blockage, Obstruction Clouds (collectively), Overcast Sky Art {šaége} {zaraišaége} {réyadu}
Solar Eclipse Lunar Eclipse Sunblock Lotion {haiyošaége} {ŧugešaége} {šaegehaíyo}
Cloth, Towel Roof Tent Blood {kižá} {oyubái} {kižaoyubái} {ŧasúyo}
{ažúka} {zapížu} {saražúka} {binažúka} Head Hair Forehead Face
{dižáe} {koáge zόi} {ráho} {biéyu} Ear Nose Cheek Mouth
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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{šitúe} {číha} {iyagái} {kaibό} Tongue Tooth/Teeth Chin Neck
{žiká} {šanái} {kaží} {eyόbu} Shoulder Arm Elbow Finger
{muόna} {íwe} {haíse} {žikánu} Chest Stomach Back Hip
{šigú} {šanáinu} {kažínu} {eyánu} Butt Leg Knee Foot
{eyόnu} {mímu} {koágu} {tuáyo} Toe Poison Scent, Smell Hero
{hosáyo} {kažiétu} {henátu} {rútu} Weakling Pen, Pencil Boomerang Elevator
{kaišόtu} {žéka} {kurό} {kéna} Ink Pistol Fire Air Earth, Ground
{žubéya} {zapižubéya} {šumádi} {zapifúzie} Rain Drizzle Snow Breeze
{fúzie} {tu} Wind The suffix added onto a verb to indicate the object that performs this action. “Object” “Tool” “Equipment”
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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{sigušái} {táiro} {téibe} {šurekόi} State of Being Object Method, Modus Operandi Action
{géka} {teníŧa} {otažúsa} {aunόpi} Fish Possibility, Chance Sentence Question
{toyáča} {díza} {žitái} {nobáho} Command Electricty Word Font
{gόibu} {narái} {žére} {rečábo} Truth Lie, Untruth Warrior Sailor
{gaéfu žére} {uyaéže rečábo} {achán} Ninja Pirate Countryfolk, Redneck (lit. “secret warrior”) (lit. “rogue sailor”) (using a letter unique to Calamari County Dialect)
{giόta} {rasá} {átina} {zeŧá átina} Star Spice Snail Super Sea Snail
{čímo} {téčimo} {fečí} {kisézo} House Home Festival, Holiday Season
{pihái} {sonái} {atáise} {bihúyo} Spring Summer Autumn Winter
{atáise fečí} {bihúyo fečí} {anopaizára zόi} {dáime zόi} Halloween Squidmas Zombie Ghost
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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{daiméro} {uyadaiméro} {žodaiméro} Transparency, Lucidity Translucency Opacity
{iyočíro} {tešíro} {gižéro} {raéru} Life Personality The Present Time The Past
{akisúna} {pisόyu} {pinikaŧáu} {ožúzie} Krill Algae Phytoplankton (s)platoon
{zuféi} {fenakíyote} {šipuzόi} Meaning Stronghold, Fortification Soldier
{šipumái} {réyadu čímo} {záiyaro} {putáipe zόi} Warzone Museum Food Family
{činíši} {súsuka} {hufáeya} {zoaropái} Youth Kid Chaos Border Lands
{tiána} {boažíza} {žiarágo} {oyurišífa} Field Ink Mine Medal History
{pezόti} {žumáimi} {mόnado} {riémi} Sport Game Sword Rabbit
{sonaipái} {koripúru} {káoda} {fiáti} Resort Dolphin Era, Epoch Mollusk
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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{čitáro} {čímu} {nádo} {žubádo} Event Map, Plan Pit Pool
{suyáro} {fíya} {sáka} {súiyo} Relaxation Speed Weight Volume
{napá} {šusí} {hági} {kábo} Area Length Nature Plant
{dagábo} {dagái} {iyoŧábo} {žodáme} Tree Forest Leaf, Sheet Shadow, Shade
{iyúži} {žoiyúži} {enáro} {rayupái} Freedom Imprisonment Work, Employment Hotel
{fiséro} {uyafiséro} {muŧáro} {ruyéro} Flight Hang-gliding Grip Growth
{isedáro} {máyuro} {máyutu} {mayupái} Suggestion Sleep Bed Bedroom
Kinship Terms
{kόišu} {eyukόi} {ayokόi} Sibling Sister Brother
{táida} {eyutái} {ayotái} {pesí}
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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Parent Mother Father Cousin
Splatoon Maps
{ayoriewána ayoríta} {husái muόna šáoyu} {gafábu žubόi} Arowana Mall Blackbelly Skatepark Saltspray Rig (lit. “black chest bowl”) (lit. “angry waters”)
{odό žiége pinú} {géka gúyoro} {ikόre ekí} Urchin Underpass Walleye Warehouse Port Mackerel (lit. “fish storage”) (lit. “wild station”)
{fúzie seiserái} {tezái géka háižume} {zarái náipie} Kelp Dome Bluefin Depot Moray Towers (lit. “windy arena”) (lit. “blue fish ocean”) (lit. “sky city”)
{háiya goníba} {zaŧádiu náipie} {rédu badáido} Camp Triggerfish Flounder Heights Hammerhead Bridge (lit. “sunny park”) (lit. “Kraken city”) (lit. “tiger path”)
{oizόi réyadu čímo} {koripúru sonaipái} Museum d’Alfonsino Mahi-Mahi Resort (lit. “jellyfish museum”) (lit. “dolphin resort”)
S5…………………………………………VERBS
This assortment of action words covers all your basics and other useful action words used to describe the happening lives of Inklings. Unlike many familiar languages, Inkling does not conjugate verbs to specific pronouns or tenses.
{si} {žiné} {ža} {mόye} {Židá} To Be To Have To Go To Do To Become
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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{šidé} {páigi} {Žiénu} {ru} {séyo} To Like To Run To Enter To Ascend To Be Named
{féa} {káyu} {kíse} {pu} {héna} To Make To Take To Come Can To Return
{mibόi} {ŧukό} {béya} {čitú} {tabái} To Speak To Kill, Destroy To Splat To Exit To Stop
{fúno} {bihé} {bíe} {čiké} {neŽό} To Want To See To Say To Choose To Be Born
{rugá} {zamé} {záiya} {šarái} {hahú} To Buy To Watch To Eat To Descend To Laugh
{doré} {sáne} {káišo} {tόyu} {fíyo} To Give To Know To Start To Use To Die
{éyapi} {súyo} {papá} {gúyo} {wuzé} To Equip To Own To Shoot To Stay To Cry
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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{sofú} {fusό} {zarí} {gápie} {Žizái} To Win To Lose To Believe To Feel To Think
{tusái} {defúna} {ágo} {fešόsa} To Find To Search for To To Acquire, Obtain To Perform, Execute
{gidé} {raná} {sofúru} {runái} To Sing To Defend To Succeed, Prosper To Help, Guide
{iyáe} {eyuoeyá} {éyadu} To Rule, Govern To Scream To Fall, Tumble, Slide
{gepái} {supái} {ŧurόya} {máinu} To Arrive To Depart To Snipe To Love
{mekόi} {ferái} {subí} {repíra} Would Should Must To Practice
To Prepare To Change To Wait To Look, Appear, Seem {župái} {gáiči} {donéi} {háoka}
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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To Fight, Battle To Move (oneself) To Push, Press To Turn, Rotate, Tilt {eyuápo} {demáno} {eyapé} {ŧuré}
To Walk To Swim To Reset To Fill {debú} {boídu} {toséa} {purái}
To Refill To Jump To Get Stuck To Throw {topurái} {sotú} {žomúŧa} {honá}
To Recall, Remember To Keep in Mind To Forget To Judge, Assess, Grade {pafú} {žizí} {žofúe} {ŧubí}
To Hate To Live To Read To Write {kiré} {iyόči} {eyόma} {hážie}
To Listen, Hear To Understand To lose motivation, to despair {dížu} {žiémiza} {Židá homáo} (lit. to become orange)
To Stand To Block, Hinder To Cover To Shine {físe} {šaégu} {oyúbu} {bírie}
To Heat, Warm To Cool To Redden, Blush To Scare {ŧakái} {šúme} {subόi} {báyu}
To Fear To Smell To Taste To Reach for
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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{koiwái} {koáge} {biéyo} {šáno}
To Rain To Snow To Visit To Allow {žubéyu} {šumádu} {táže} {ráiyo}
To Play To Decide To Try To Be Possible {žíha} {žekáti} {šárie} {petíŧa}
To Exist, To Be Present {piésu zόiyo} {pekόi zόiyo} {zόiyo} “Are there Octolings?” “Here’s Callie!” This is how one says or asks “there is…”, “there are…”, “here is…” and “here are…”
{šariéno} {gigé} {se} {madéma} To Finish To Ask, Implore To Ask (a question) To Demand
{gusaio} {bašό} {tíŧu} {zoáro} To Be Concerned About To Hug To Kiss To Surround
{pitό} {šiwána} {fatéa} {číša} To Need To Hope To Discover To Continue
{zofáiya} {rusí} {kákase} {súya} To Deploy To Separate To Break To Relax
{huinési} {rébie} {gewéyu} {regewéyu} To Care For To Reply To Join To Rejoin
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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{ráyu} {físe} {uyafíse} {muŧá} To Be at Rest To Fly, Soar To Glide, Hang Glide To Grab, Grip
{rúye} {iséda} {enára} {máyu} To Grow To Suggest To Work To Sleep
The following verbs are simply derived from nouns and the particle that transforms them into action words. There are, by the way, basically infinite of these.
{muyokόi} {hunepokόi} {ŧutožikόi} {ayoritakόi} To Ink, Stain To Brush, Paint To Charge To Shop, Browse
{naizikόi} {sigunaikόi} {šidezoikόi} To Befriend To Become Enemies To Be Passionate About
{žuboikόi} {žamakόi} {nežuzukόi} To Pour, To Water To Annoy To Grasp, Pluck, To Wrap Around
{edakόi} {dutikόi} {fenazekόi} To Cross Out, Strike Out To Team Up To Build, Construct
{ikoreoeikόi} {atí ikoreoeikόi} {gobikόi} To Trend To Be Obsessed With To Strike, Blast
{zoitokόi} {eyaŧukόi} {zoukόi} {taisikόi} To Punch To Hand Over To Poke To Be At Peace
{mamegaizekόi} {nainakόi} {čimaikekόi} To Ferment (into alcohol) To Milk, To Produce Milk To Fizz
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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{bohomikόi} {zaŧadiukόi} {žamepaikόi} To Cluster, To Gather To Become a Kraken To Tower Over
{eyusukόi} {pidakόi} {fetafekόi} To Color In, Colorize To Layer To Swell, To Balloon
{žažuzikόi} {refakόi} {kapaokόi} To Take a Photo, To Snapshot To Fence Off, To Isolate To Explode
{mišaiyakόi} {wagukόi} {zaraišaegekόi} To Teach To Party To Be Overcast
{reyadukόi} {ŧasuyokόi} {kižaoyubaikόi} {šituekόi} To Make Art To Bleed To Go Camping To Lick
{čihakόi} {žikakόi} {kažikόi} To Chew, To Bite To Barge, Ram To Nudge, To Prod
{eyobukόi} {iwekόi} {eyunukόi} {mimukόi} To Point (to) To Digest To Kick To Poison
{žekakόi} {gekakόi} {toyačakόi} To Burn To Fish To Command, To Order
{dizakόi} {taidakόi} {patakόi} To Shock (with electricity) To Parent To Wear a Hat
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{unonokόi} {tičakόi} {odokόi} To Put on Shoes To Put on Clothes To Spike, To Prick
{goibukόi} {naraikόi} {raisíkoi} {fečikόi} To Tell the Truth To Lie To Welcome To Celebrate
{daimekόi} {uyadaimekόi} {žodaimekόi} {giunokόi} To Be Lucid, To Be Translucent, To Be Opaque, To Be Against To Be Easily Understood To Be Unclear To Be Oblivious (to) (someone, something)
{nadokόi} {čimukόi} {fiyakόi} {hagikόi} To Dig To Plan Out, Map Out To Measure Speed To Be Natural
{kabokόi} {iyoŧabokόi} {žodamekόi} {iyužikόi} To Plant To Photosynthesize To Overshadow To Liberate
{žoiyužikόi} To Be Trapped, Imprisoned, Incarcerated
S6…………………………….PREPOSITIONS
Prepositions are a part of speech used to describe where a verb or noun exists in relation to something else. The following prepositions function in Inkling not quite the same way as they do in English (generally). Refer to the video guides for specific examples. Generally, it’s “Verb + Prep + Noun” or “Noun + Prep + Noun”.
{ri} {zo} {da} {Žáyo} In Out On Off
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{no} {όta} {ge} {su} {pi}
To From Toward Away (Comparative particle, see S16)
{ko} {gáeyu} {onái} {pinú} For About Atop Below
{ki} {Žokí} {biná} {éyome} With Without In Front Of Behind
{tukό} {iyόko} {pόye} {káiči} Next To, Beside Across From Before After
Up Down Left Right {sará} {šurái} {giό} {ŧuό}
Around Between/Among Through Since {waifína} {židezié} {žiége} {dubáisa}
During Versus Per Into By Means of, Via {donáda} {giúno} {ríe} {rikú} {díyu}
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S7………………..…….…..CONJUNCTIONS
Conjunctions are used to string words together to form bigger and more informative sentences. These work nearly the same way in Inkling as they do in English. Again, refer to the video guides for examples.
{ko} {wa} {Ži} {fi} {zόiba} For And But Or If
{Žofí} {bo} {surá} {čiká} Nor So Although Since
{maiόta} {sumái} {zόi} {tadí} While Because If (alt.) So That
{sáide} {nušό} {zaíse} {dité} Until Unless As Soon As Which
{úyedo} {héni} {íša} {kéi} As Like Either Neither
S8……………………………..DESCRIPTORS
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Adjectives and Adverbs have a lot of freedom in Inkling. Adjectives always go before their antecedent noun. Adverbs can go before or after their antecedent adjective, verb, or adverb as one pleases. The first four words (“very”, “sort of”, “not at all”, and “now”) are exclusively adverbs and are used liberally.
{henú} {mabunόi} {Žonú} {zíuyo} Very Sort Of Not At All Now
{nakí} {obόi} {beόta} {ríuno} Near Far Good Bad
{čiwú} {ayόpu} {musá} {paizára} Tall Short(height) Dead Alive
{šomešό} {homáo} {bašú} {fatáyo} Yellow Orange Pink Purple/Magenta
{tezái} {táide} {rirú} {eŧá} {subái} Blue Turquoise Green Lime Red
{nočí} {totό} {paomό} {husái} Smart Dumb White Black
{waišé} {dáduše} {ziní} {oyuwái} This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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High Low New Old
{oyezí} {zení} {uzái} {zizái} Soon Previous First Final
{ŧuní} {kaičíŧuni} {poyezéni} Next After the Next Before the Previous
{saíya} {ugé} {kášino} {idí} Clean Dirty Beautiful Ugly
{Žepaíyo} {oéi} {téna} {doáne} Skilled Fresh!~ This, These That, Those
{όyo} {gigái} {zeŧá} {šofí} Normal Absolute, Dedicated Super Wet
{kašipáiyo} {Žoatíŧuko} {dagá} {zapí} Charismatic Eternal Big Small
{nobόri} {kubári} {kakuéki} Inbound Outbound Local
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{kaisόku} {tokái} {meŽí} Express Special Bright
{Žomé} {kárasu} {hakú} Dark Pitch Black Pure White
{wasáida} {zúki} {ženísi} Late Early Basic, Simple
{šušá} {sáita} {márupi} Fast, Quick Sassy Polite
{gedό} {hudό} {zená} {tekúna} More Less Most Least
{hegá} {édu} {taisíwa} {máme gaizéwa} Any All Peaceful Alcoholic
Every Same Different Important {maé} {gόna} {betú} {dúyo}
Trivial Available Unavailable {mašáiki} {ayúho} {mutáia} This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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Popular Unpopular Proud Ashamed {šaŧáne} {feníta} {horásu} {humírie}
Male Female Dangerous Safe {eyumái} {ayomái} {unόto} {aníto}
Slow Fast Long Short (distance) {waíya} {kaníya} {kaόta} {taná}
Sudden Hot Cold Abrupt {kíyo} {ŧakό} {šumá} {žéki}
Nervous Warm Luke Warm Cool {kόiwu} {uyaŧakό} {šukόšu} {uyašumá}
Hurtful Thick Thin Confident {gatáina} {tuáko} {hosára} {uyόki}
Strong Weak Possible Impossible {kiyόte} {kusá} {tíŧa} {žotíŧa}
{fípu} {žofípu} {kédiho} {žokédiho} Likely Unlikely Certain Uncertain
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{žiréa} {éme} {áno} {riéno} Difficult Easy Again Never
{gúža} Always Got some weather descriptors here for ya.
{háiya} {šumáda} {fuzόi} Sunny Snowy Windy
Rainy Drizzly Breezy {žubeyόi} {uyažubeyόi} {uyafuzόi}
For the following ten descriptors, they can be used as adjectives, adverbs, and as nouns. These ones can be tricky S.O.B.’s.
{ikόre} {tasí} {biwái} Wild, Untamed Calm, Composed, Tame Happy
{ŧunú} {gafábu} {ibái} Sad Angry Afraid
{wafí} {buá} {Žokí biwái} Surprised Disgusted Apathetic
{Žozári} {maéze} {úya} Doubtful Everywhere A little, a bit, a piece, Slightly, sort of, briefly (e.g. “a little nervous”, “to speak briefly”, “a piece of bread”, “slightly wet”) This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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{όmo} {όmo múyo} {όmo záiyaro} {όmo žitái} “Some” (Quantity) “Some ink” “Some food” “Some words”
{dόya} {dόya daoyu} {dόya pái} {dόya táiro} {dόya zόi} “Some” + (Object) “Sometime” “Somewhere” “Something” “Someone”
{wúi} {táimu} Also (as an adverb only) Too, Too Much (as adjective or adverb)
{že} {pozé} {wuišái} Just, Only Already Other, Another
{žerá} {haohá} {fukozéa} {obáo} Lazy Hard-Working Crazy Hungry
{žobáo} {čidáfe} {čidáwa} {buáyu} Full (appetite) Empty Full (filled to capacity) Lucky
{zowáiya} {uyáwa} {kíti} {hesáida} Exciting, Interesting Boring Nice Mean
{wekáiti} {honό} {zinéga} {rasása} Sweet Sour Salty Spicy
{ŧunόe} {gošíku} {míyuča} {tuáko}
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Bitter Sans-serif Serif Bold
{žatái} {pinuéda} {gaéfu} {uyaéže} Italic, Leaning, Slanting Underlined Secret Rogue, Rebel
{féči} {dáime} {žodáime} {uyadáime} Festive Transparent Opaque Translucent
{téši} {kižόe} {gíže} {ráe} Personal Modern Present, Current Ancient
{kisezošái} {tečimošái} {zufeišái} Seasonal Homey, Cozy Meaningful
{oyurewái} {uzόi} {wairúne} {činí} Derelict, Rundown Alone Alien, Foreign Young
{suyašái} {hagišái} {žodamešái} {iyužišái} Relaxing Natural Shaded Free
{fisešái} {žoiyužišái} {muŧašái} Going Smoothly, Without Issue Trapped, Imprisoned, Incarcerated Engaging, Gripping
S9……………………….QUESTION WORDS
Inklings have three ways of asking questions. One is to just say a statement with a rising intonation like you would in English. Another is to form a “full interrogation”. That is a full sentence with a subject and predicate and one of the
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following question words. The placement of these questions words may differ from how they’re used in English. See the video lesson on Questions for samples.
{zamό} {šuáti} {wáibo} {όyene} What Who Where When
{kόi} {séso} {šihú} {tisό} Why How Which To What Degree All of these words can also be used as conjunctions.
S10………………………………………TITLES
Urban Inklings interacting with strangers on the street have a system of titles for their peers. When one Inkling doesn’t know the name of another in conversation, they use the following terms to address passersby in a polite manner. They are specific to a male who is older than the speaker, a male who is younger than the speaker, a female Inkling older than the speaker, and a female younger than the speaker.
{kaié} {sukaié} {Žegái} {suŽegái} Senior Male Junior Male Senior Female Junior Female
S11………………………………DIRECTIONS Honestly wasn’t sure where to put these. Have at it.
North South East {bokúa} {namí} {ŧuόka}
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{sáina} {téze} {dόze} West Here There
S12…………………….HELPFUL PHRASES
Below are an assortment of miscellaneous useful words and phrases that one may hear on the streets and battlefields of Splatoon.
{irú} {hanú} {oné} {Žúyo} Hello Good-bye Yes No
{ziebái} {atíyoka} {gúyo oéi} Thank You Please “Stay Fresh~!”
{ríuno i} {Žonú nočí} {pa pu pa pu} “I’m sorry.” “Excuse me” “It’s okay.” “You’re fine.” (lit. “I’m bad.”) (lit. “Not so smart of me.”)
{zarí kué} {beόta όide} {kíse tόya} “Never mind.” “How are you?” “Come on!”
{tabái neŽό} {pa Žizái séso} {ena ena} “F**k you.” “What’s the matter?” “Uh…”
{oné oné} {ŧukό i} {suí}
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“Booyah!” “Darn it!” “Go Away.”
{báka} {iyásu} {no} Idiot Yes (informal) No (informal)
{abunái} {daipíči} {sižési} “Watch out!” “I’ve got a bad feeling about this…” “It is what it is.”
{iyáni} {oyápa} {ánošo} “In addition,…” “As I thought,…” “However,…”
{žiemizábe} {gusáiobe} {wuíbe} “Therefore,…” “Concerning…” “Besides,…”
･･･ ･･･ ･･･ ･･･ {heizόiba}…{bo} {žosíža}…{wúi} “Even if…then…” “Not Only….But Also…”
･･･ ･･･ . {héi}…{wúi}… {héi zaŧádiu wúi pu fíyo} “Even….” Example: “Even a Kraken can die.”
{žo žamá} {zamό káno} {zamό zόiyo} “Not a problem.” “What/How Do You Mean?” “What’s Going On?”
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{oéi zόi} {horásu nόi} {totό piésu zόi} “He’s so fresh~!” “We are so proud!” “Octarians are so stupid.”
[DESCRIPTOR] + [SUBJECT] In Inkling, placing the subject of your sentence right after a descriptor is a casual way to tell your listener that that person or object strongly meets the criteria of your adjective.
･･･ {hofúa} {wúi zarái} {tisό ríuno} “No way!” “Although,…” “Too bad.”
･･･ ･･･ {da badáido} {žo ráiyo} {wúi i bíe} En route, on one’s way “Except for…” “In other words,…”
･･･ {i koiwái} {raisíka} {zamό kiyokáno} “I’m afraid that…” “Welcome!” “I don’t care.”/“Who cares?”
･･･ ･･･ {žo gigái…}(zamό/šuáti/wáibo/όyene/sesό/etc.) {tezé pa bihé…} “No matter (what/who/where/when/how/etc.)…” “For example,…”
･･･ {mašáiki sesό} {teníŧa si} {zíuyo si όyene} “Whatever.” “Maybe…” “Now’s our chance!” (As in dismissal)
･･･ {i funό bíe} {beόta mόye} {ŧunú i} “By the way,…” “Well done!” “What a shame.”
･･･ {žozόi wafí} {žo žamá} {mímu όide} “No wonder…” “No big deal.” “What the heck?”
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{féči nόi} “Congratulations!” S13……………….….…….INTERJECTIONS
{wa} {oyé} {bu} {i} {waí} (Surprise) (Shock) (Disapproval) (Fright) (Excitement)
{iyόši} {korá} {da} “Alright! Let’s Go!” “Hey!” (not as a greeting, as a way “Ouch!” to grab someone’s attention)
{e} {ha} {ne} “Huh?” (Laughter) (Disgust)
S14……………..…………………..NUMBERS
{enazái} The numbers system of Inkling consists of ten base numbers. They can be written out in Inkling characters or in the numbers shown below. For two-digit numbers, one says {de ziéga za} for “forty-eight” (48). For numbers in the hundreds, one says {ke ziédu ča u} for “six hundred thirty one” (631). The word for “ten” ({ziéga} ) is sometimes omitted. For numbers in the thousands, one says {fa zietái šobí u we} for “five thousand nine hundred seventeen” (5,917). The words for “ten” ({ziéga} ) and “hundred” ({ziédu} ) are sometimes omitted.
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{maná} {u} {íyo} {ča} {de} 0 1 2 3 4
{fa} {ke} {we} {za} {šobí} 5 6 7 8 9
{ziéga} {ziédu} {zietái} Ten Hundred Thousand
Where counting gets a little complicated is with zeros. For clarity’s sake, one does not always omit {ziéga}, {ziédu}, and {zietái}.
2005: {íyo zietái fa} “two thousand five” 2050: {íyo zietái fa ziéga} “two thousand five ten” 2058: {íyo zietái fa za} “two thousand five eight” 2500: {íyo zietái fa ziédu} “two thousand five hundred” 2508: {íyo zietái fa ziédu za} “two thousand five hundred eight” 2580: {íyo zietái fa za ziéga} “two thousand five eight ten”
{hábu} {zápi hábu} {dága hábu} One-Half One Quarter Three Quarters
Inkling has an “ordinal quantifier”, a word used after a number to describe position, rank, or sequence.
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{uzái} {iyozái} {čazái} {dezái} {fazái} First Second Third Fourth Fifth
Inkling also has a “cardinal quantifier”, a word used after a number to describe a number of occurrences.
{ukái} {iyokái} {čakái} {dekái} {fakái} Once Twice Thrice Four Times Five Times
S15…………..…..DATES, TIME AND AGE
Inkling has ways of telling time and date for active Inklings out and about in the busy Turf War life style. For time of day, it reads “hour + {dáoyu} + minute”. For day of the week, add
the number of the day to the word {gaí} for Sunday through Saturday (starting with Monday as the beginning of the week).
For months, add the number of the month before the word for “month” as shown below.
Reminder: Inklings use military time all the time.
{dáoyu}
… {zíuyo si όyene} {zíuyo si…} “What time is it?” “The time is…”
{ča dáoyu} {ziéga dáoyu defá} Three o’clock in the morning Ten forty five in the morning
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{ziégake dáoyu} {íyo ziéga u dáoyu we} Four o’clock in the afternoon Nine oh-seven at night
These three fractions mentioned above can also be used to tell time. Add these words after (Number + {dáoyu}) as you would with numbers
{hábu} {zápi hábu} {dága hábu} One-Half (:30) One Quarter (:15) Three Quarters (:45)
{zaománi} {zomídi} {henái} Morning Afternoon Night
{ziuyogái} {ŧunigái} {zenigái} Today Tomorrow Yesterday
Inklings talk about the date the following way: Year/Month/Day (One Month) (Two Month) (Three Month) (So on and so forth…)
January February March April {u wéyo} {íyo wéyo} {ča wéyo} {de wéyo}
May June July August {fa wéyo} {ke wéyo} {we wéyo} {za wéyo}
September October November December {šobí wéyo} {ziéga wéyo} {ziéga u wéyo} {ziéga íyo wéyo}
{pa zamό šudí} {i si šudí ziégade}
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“How old are you?” “I am fourteen years old.”
S16………………….…………..Comparisons The Comparative is used to, well,….compare two objects or people. Use this particle and attach it to the front of a descriptor to tell us that one thing fits the bill better than another.
{pi}
{piriúno} {pišušá} {piunόto} Worse Faster More Dangerous
{múyo zόi si pinόči pi piésu zόi} “Inklings are smarter than Octarians.”
The Superlative is used to indicate that an object has reached the highest degree or quality. Pop this in front of a descriptor to tell us that your thing is the most, best, worst, etc. at something.
{zi}
{ziriúno} {zioéi} {zidúyo} Worst Freshest~ Most Important
When comparing to objects or people, sometimes you need to say that Entity A does not fit the bill as much as Entity B. A is less than B in some fashion. For this, the word {hudό} is used before the descriptor.
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{hudό beόta} {hudό waíya} {hudό aníto} Worse Slower Less Safe
{sáodo si hudό šaŧáne pi anéna} “Spyke is less popular than Annie.”
Finally, in comparisons, we’ll sometimes need to say that both Entity A and Entity B are equal. Of the same quality, same size, same color. To say that A is just as good as B, Inklings use the word {gόna}.
{gόna beόta} {gόna ŧakό} {gόna kiyόte} Just As Good As Hot As Equally Strong
S17…………………………..-Passive Voice- Sometimes you need to describe an event that happened to you, or to someone. This is called “passive voice”. In Inkling, the grammar particle to indicate this tense is {atí}. It is added before verbs to indicate that the action is happening to the subject of the sentence.
{atí}
{zόi atí béya} {réyuže atí záiya kué} He is splatted. Rice is being eaten.
S18………………………….……-Possessive- To let your woomies know that something is yours, you need the possessive. The particle pronounced differently in this case as {ya} is used to denote that an object in the sentences belongs to the mentioned person. Use the following structure: (Person + {ya} + object) This grammar point is very similar to using “’s” in English or “の” in Japanese.
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My book Your money Their team {i ya eyόme} {pa ya suráže} {búyo ya dutí}
S19……………………….…………-Negation- To create a negative verb phrase, simply add the negation particle {Žo} before the verb. This can also be done to adjectives and adverbs to create negative descriptors.
{žo}
{nόi žo sofú} {uyarédu žo si oyuwái} "We are not winning." “The cat is not old.”
{žo ríuno} {žo obόi} Not bad Not far
S20……………………………..-Imperatives-
Imperative sentences are commands. To tell someone what to do, simply add this particles after a verb phrase.
{tόya}
{nόi ža záiya tόya} {tόyu hunépo tόya} “Let’s go eat!” “Use the brush.”
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S21……………...... -Question Particles-
The third way to ask questions in Inkling is with a question particle. Add {όide} after a noun phrase or a verb phrase to ask if that thing or action is really happening.
{όide}
{žiémiza όide} {kášino όide} “(Did you) understand?” “(Is it/he/she) good-looking?”
S22………………………………………………Suffixes {šái} Turns nouns, verbs, and adverbs into adjectives. {uyosežešái} “mechanical” {sanešái} “knowledgeable” {ro} Turns verbs, adjectives, and adverbs into nouns. {páfuro} “memory” {gόnaro} “similarity”
{be} Turns nouns, adjectives, and verbs into adverbs.
{sofúrube} “successfully” {ŧudíbe} “daily” {kόi} Turns nouns, adjectives, and adverbs into verbs. {dutikόi} “to team up” {ženisikόi} “to simplify” {gái} Indicates a day in which a noun, verb, or descriptor takes place. {nežogái} “birthday” {suražegái} “pay day” {zόi} Indicates a person belonging to a noun, verb, or descriptor. {muyozόi} “inkling” {sofuzόi} “winner” {tu} Indicates an object that performs the action of a verb. {papátu} “shooter” {šúmetu} “cooler” {pai} Indicates a location where an action is performed. {nežopái} “birthplace” {gepaipái} “destination”
S23…………………………………………………………………….Present Tense (indicates that a verb happens now) This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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. {i zíuyo ža no seiserái} “I go to the arena now.”
S24…………………………………………………………………………Past Tense
{rutú} (indicates that a verb started and ended in the past)
{pa éyapi rutú šihú pežú} “Which gun did you equip?”
S25………………………………………………………….……………Future Tense
{hurό} (indicates that a verb will happen in the future)
. {nόi rugá hurό ziní tičá όta ayoríta} “We will buy new clothes from the mall.”
S26……………………………………………………………Present Progressive
{kué} (indicates that a verb’s action is still in progress)
. {doáne piesuzόi záiya kué i ya šáoyu réyuže} “That Octarian is eating from my rice bowl!”
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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S27…………………………………………………Idioms
{nočibόi}
{giόta sotú} {ninuténo rasá} To Try One’s Best, To Go For Broke, To Go Huge Second To None, Without Equal (lit. to “star jump”) (lit. “spice of God”)
{unonokόi ziní} {átina zόi} To Turn Things Around, To Make a Comeback Someone who hangs around Inkopolis Plaza (lit. to “wear new shoes”) socializing instead of battling, a Mallrat (lit. a “snail person”)
{denašamái} {obόi riépo} A Teammate Who Pulls a Lackluster AFK, or Someone Whose Body Is There Team to Victory, a Tryhard But Their Mind Is Miles Away, a (lit. a “train conductor”) Daydreamer (lit. a “far mind”)
{hunepokόi} {ŧakό biéyu} A Teammate Who Doesn’t A Total Freakin’ Jerk, a Bully Contribute Much (lit. a “painter”) (lit. a “hot mouth”)
{fiatizόi} {hakú géka} A Geezer, an Old Fart The New Kid, a Newbie, a Greenhorn (lit. “mollusk person”) (lit. “pure white fish”)
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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{eyomáiho} {náinašai} {zinéga} Hilarious Plain, Ordinary, Boring Angry, Frustrated (displayed pictographically as (literally, “milky”) (literally, “salty”) an Inkling dropping dead from laughter)
{homáo} {za šanái} Timid, Weak, Ineffectual Devious, Suspicious (term for poor Turf Warriors, illustrated (inspired by eight-limbed Octolings) pictographically by a person bowing in defeat)
{hagizόi} {múyo dagái} {múyo dagábo} Hippie, Tree Hugger Spawn-camping Spawn-camper (lit. “nature person”) (lit. “ink forest”) (lit. “ink tree”)
S28…………………….…Calamari County Dialect Throughout the wide realm of turf owned by the Inklings, there are many different dialects with their own unique pronunciation and vocabulary. Below is a brief explanation and some examples of the traditional dialect of Calamari County (the home of Callie and Marie). This was written up by Squidboards contributor EclipseMT after his time spent in Calamari County researching the linguistics of the more rural areas on Inkling society.
Phonology Differences -{u} is pronounced just like how it is in Japanese: /ɯᵝ/ is a close approximation. -{u} at the end of a sentence is often devoiced. This devoicing is extremely arbitrary and can distinguish native speakers from non- natives. -The same often applies with {i} at the end of a sentence. -[sh*] is closer to /ɕ/, and similar shifts happen to [ch*] and [j*]. - In terms of [j*], it can never be represented by /ʑ/. -[r*] is always represented with the same sound as it is in Japanese: /ɾ/
Orthographic Differences -The following characters do not exist in Calamari: {jie}, {zie}, {eyo}, {eyu}, {uye}, {uyo}, {ayu}, {oye}, {oya}, {iya}, and {oyu}. The characters existed at a time when the language was close together, but when the dialectal differences went east, the East took the characters, but the West retained phonology. Some Barrier dialects retain these characters and the phonology.
Phonetic Shifts These phonetic shifts carry on to the respective characters in the orthography, and respectively to the words that make them. Exceptions exist. -{eya} becomes {ya}, {uya} becomes {ye}, {iyu} becomes {yu}, and {iyo} becomes {yo}. Any case of vowel-ya is represented with two separate characters. -{uno} becomes {un}.
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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-{ise} becomes {sen}. -{ena} becomes {en}. -{ane} becomes {an}. -{ota} becomes {tan}. -{ati} becomes {dan}. -However, the passive particle is {eta} instead of {dan} or {ati}. -[*oi] becomes [*on]. -Because moraic {n} is a sound frequently occurring in Calamari, a character has been made specifically for it: something like the Japanese Katakana ko「コ」(sans the half-square brackets) with a stroke under. -{*ie} is mutated into {*ya} (e.g. {pie} becomes {pya}). This does not occur with {zie} and {jie}, characters removed due to assimilation with {ja}. -{hu} becomes {hi}. Some instances of {hu} in the East are instead {fu} in the West, while others are {hi}. -Placing an {*i} after a {y*} character assimilates them into a palatalized consonant followed by the appropriate vowel, due to soft sounds occurring frequently in Calamari.
Vocabulary Changes These are words that resulted from the phonetic differences between the East and West. -The local short form of a verb is the verb minus the last sounding vowel. For verbs ending in *n, the *n merges with the first vowel. This form is only used for verb-tense particle contractions. -The present progressive particle {kue} in Standard is {chu} in Calamari. -{zon} is the third person pronoun, but {zoi}] is the personal suffix. -The imperative particle becomes {toye}. Contracted into + {oye}. -Past particle becomes {rata}. Contracted frequently into + {ata}. -Future particle is {furu}. This is contracted frequently into + {fuu}. -Question particle becomes {oida}. Contracted often into + {ida}. -Second person plural: {enpa}] -“Outbound train” is {kudari} to stick more to its source. -“Train” has become {densha} for the same reason written ({de} {n} {sha}). -Boy: {iyumai}. Girl: {ayomai} (contracted {iyun}/{ayon}) -“Ki” (the concept in East Asia) becomes {ki}. -God: Becomes {nintenu} in Calamari. -“To be:” {su} in Calamari. -“To start:” {kaishi} in Calamari. -“To scream:” {eiya} in Calamari. -“To rule:” {yae}. -“Time:” Becomes {daiya}. Frequently shortened to {dai} to indicate the hour. Minute: {pun}; Second: {bya} -“That:” Either {doan} or its contracted form, {dan}. - “Reader:” {yomezoi} -“Author:” {hakuzoi} -“World:” {sekai} -“to cover:” {iyabu}
Vernacular Vocabulary Most of the words of this list are not considered slang locally; they are only a vernacular form. -Calamari speakers often add the filler particle [ya] after a verb, like so: “Dan su ya nori 7 bimizu tan ziyo!” (That is only seven minutes from now!). In other cases, it can appear at the end of a sentence. -{hiyahiya} is a very informal term meaning “I’m worn out.” -{dekai}: Vernacular term for “giant.” -{chichai}: vernacular term for “tiny.” -{arui}: obnoxious. -{pyazon}: Inkopolis local. A jab at how their speech has shifted significantly. Any combination of shifted sounds would have the same connotation.
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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-{gonami}: Octoling. This arised from the fact that the languages are relatively close in terms of phonetics, sans the unique sounds the Octoling language has (lit. “equal speech”). -{baikara} is a very offensive term, akin to English “motherf*ker” and Japanese “kisama.” -{wanwai} is used so much in the context of talking down to others. -Ditto for {turashii} (this is an adjective). -{shindo}: Worked up. -{hachiko}: servant (faithful person). Originally a colloquialism to describe the character archetype. -{yapu}: “to push” -{hika}: “to pull” -{echapo}: “to fight” -{buraige}: “to bring” -{faiguri}: “coward” -{hozon}: “save” -{mado}: “more” -{mada}: “Not yet.” Purposely loaned as a native-non-native distinguishing factor. -{purizento}: “to present” (as in a sponsor of a program). -{neji}: “friend” -{zetai}: “ludicrous” -{yotai}: “inconceivable” -{fiya}: “speed.” One of the few words that carried over in the Inkopolis dialect. -{tonte}: “very” -Inkopolis slanguage does not carry over in this dialect, and such terminology is virtually scoffed at when heard locally. -Several other vernacular forms of certain words exist; this list is a summary of some notable occurrences.
Grammar -Standard register is virtually unchanged from Inkopolis. -Some informal registers can alter this word order. S29…………………………….……Inkopolis Dialect For a proper explanation of the differences between the “schoolhouse Inkling” and the dialect of Inkopolis (also known as “Inkopolitan”), I turn it over to Squidboards contributor TheFIZZYnator. He performed the official English translation for an article written by the famed Inkopolis University Linguistics Professor Hačinoe Ŧugaru from his landmark publication The Inkopolis Dialect: a Comprehensive Look.
3. Summary of Differences Stress pattern: Other forms of Inkling, such as Schoolhouse Inkling and the Calamari and Barrier Dialects, have an irregular and unpredictable accent specified per word. Urban Inkling has a completely regular stress pattern applicable to every word in the language. Vowels One prominent element of Urban Inkling is the way they pronounce the letter U; it is pronounced with a slightly wider and taller mouth, the tongue further up in the mouth, staying at around the middle.* In addition, every occurrence of I is pronounced prominently.† Omission of Question Particle In Schoolhouse Inkling, a question is notated with the addition of {óide} at the end of a sentence; in the Calamari dialect, it is mutated into {óida}. In Urban Inkling, the particle is omitted altogether, and questions are notated by a rising accent and a question mark.
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.
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Omission or Contraction of Imperative Particle In Schoolhouse Inkling, a command is notated with the addition of {tóya} at the end of a sentence; in the Calamari dialect, it is mutated into {tóye}. In Urban Inkling, the particle is contracted into {ča}, or omitted altogether; questions are instead notated by omitting the pronoun “you”. Pronoun Omission and Contraction Forms of {si} “to be” are sometimes morphed to save time. {i si} “I am” simply becomes {si}; {pa si} “you are” becomes {pi}; {zoi pi} “he is” becomes {zi}. {noi si} “we are” becomes {ni}; {énapa si} “you (pl) are” becomes {ési}; {búuyo si} “they are” becomes {bi}. Possessives Instead of {eya}, Urban Inkling occassionally[sic] uses the shortened {e}. Gerunds When it is clear from the context that the action is happening at an exact moment, and not in general, Urban Inkling speakers often drop the present progressive particle. e.g. {I zíuyo (kúe) ža no seisérai} “I am going to the arena now.” Miscellaneous {iyoši} is respelled {ióši} to preserve the accent on ó.
* Translator's note: In IPA, it can be approximated with /ɯᵝ/. It is equivalent to the Japanese “u”. † Translator's note: The author likely refers to /i/ not weakening to /ɪ/. 4. Stress Pattern In this section, I will explain the simplified stress pattern rules present in Urban Inkling. Multisyllabic letters When a letter with two syllables takes stress, the first vowel is pronounced prominently. One letter words Words with one letter do not take stress. Exceptions include stressing a pronoun for emphasis, as in “I did that.”, or common nouns habitually stressed, as in {bói} (language). e.g. {si} “to be; I am”, {ža} “to go” {ota} “from” Two letter words Words with two letters have penultimate stress (i.e. on the second-to-last letter), even when it ends with a suffix. e.g. {pó·gai} “day”, {éyu·mai} “boy”, {dí·u} “squid” Three letter words or more Words with three letters or more have penultimate stress, unless it ends with a suffix, in which case the accent is on the second-to- last letter excluding said suffix. e.g. {ŧu·ró·ži}“charger”, {ma·é·zi} “everything”, but {ŧú·di·be} “daily” Prefixes and Suffixes As briefly mentioned above, prefixes and suffixes do not take stress.
5. Example Exchanges in Inkopolis Dialect {Íru, i-e náizi! Pi béota ziúyogai?} – “Hello, my friends! How are you today?” {Íru! Si póze ikóre-be zowáiya ko bédao.} – “Hello! I'm already wildly excited for Splatfest.” {Ióši, žúpai pápa. Ni gápie húro bíwai.} – “Well, get ready to shoot. We're going to have fun.” {I káyu rútu i-e péžu. Bíhe, bohómi zóiyo!} – “I brought my gun. Look, the team's all here!”
This guide and this language are the creation of Piyoz Rmnkolmz and Splatoon fans at Squidboards.com. Splatoon is the property of Nintendo.