Dalek Writing

Dalek writing is a linear language read left to right just like English. However unlike English Dalek is based not on individual symbols for every variation of every letter but on a stem and affix system. Not to worry, it’s actually pretty easy.

English uses affixes as well. There are prefixes like un- and in- that are attached to the front of a word to change its meaning like unfriendly or injustice. The words friend and justice are the stems. Then suffixes like -less or -full do the same as prefixes but are added to the end of the stem word as in fearless or hopeful. You can have one, both, or neither types of affix on any given stem word. Like the previous example of unfriendly. It can actually be broken into the prefix un-, the stem friend, and the suffix -ly. Each changes the meaning of the word in its own way.

So how does this apply to Dalek writing?

Stems

In the Dalek language, the consonants are the stems and used as the base symbol for which the affixes are attached. Note that the letter z is the most important letter of the Dalek language and that its symbol is the largest.

Affixes

The Dalek language has three categories of affixes: vowels, punctuation, and capitalization. Capitalization is a prefix while vowels and punctuation are suffixes. Note that the lines for u and high esteem are slightly longer than the others.

Vowels are connected to the center of the stem letter.

“this”

Unless they are the first letter of a word.

“is”

Or if they follow another vowel.

“you”

Note that some letters extend their tails to accommodate a suffix. Like k and v.

“have”

Double letters are marked with a dot inside the stem. Note that the hyphen is a place holder showing it as a suffix and not used in actual writing.

“all”

The double letter suffix can only be used when a stem is doubled and not with another affix. Double vowels are written separately.

“been”

In the Dalek language only certain words are capitalized. These include Dalek, Exterminate, and names of actual Daleks. Other words demand high esteem. Like Emperor, Skaro, Davros, and the names of high ranking Daleks like Sec and Caan. This is marked by the proper prefix. Note the use of punctuation in both examples.

“Dalek.”

“Emperor?”

Note that there are no commas in the Dalek language. Sentences are written simply which negates the need for punctuation outside of the period, exclamation mark, and question mark. Lists are written with the word “and” instead of a comma. “Bread and milk and butter and eggs.”

Spacing

A stem and its affixes form a complete symbol. Each symbol has equal spacing around it. There is not extra spacing between words or after the ends of sentences. A line of symbols is written until the allotted space has been filled then shifts down to start a new line regardless of whether it splits up a word. There is no separation of paragraphs. Dalek writing is a continuous grid of symbols. Try reading this.

Here’s what it says. “This is how you write in Dalek. All impure life forms will be Exterminated! Have the prisoners been taken to the Emperor?” If you got it right, you now know how to write in Dalek.

Numbers

This is where the Dalek language gets tricky. We use a base 10 number system. We count to 9 before resetting the ones place and adding to the tens place.

Tens Place Ones Place 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

The Daleks use a base 7 number system.

Tens Place Ones Place 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 0

Luckily you don’t have to understand how to count in it, only how to convert from one to the other.

Converting Base 10 to Base 7

Take the base 10 number and divide it by 7. Write the remainder to the right.

51 0 ____ 7 | 357

Continue dividing until you’re left with a number less than 7.

1 0 __ 7 | 7 2 ___ 7 | 51 0 ____ 7 | 357

Start with the top number then write all the remainders from top to bottom. 1020.

357 in base 10 is 1020 in base 7. Here is another example.

5 6 ___ 7 | 41 0 ____ 7 | 287 4 _____ 7 | 2013

2013 in base 10 is 5604 in base 7.

Converting From Base 7 to Base 10

Take the base 7 number and write it in the quotient/remainder pattern we used above.

4 2 0 3 1 6

Multiply the top number by 7 then add the remainder.

4 2 7 | 30

Continue until you run out of remainders.

4 2 7 | 30 0 ---- 7 | 210 3 ------7 | 1473 1 ------7 | 10312 6 ------7 | 72190

420316 in base 7 is 72190 in base 10.

Digits

Right about now you’re probably wondering if you really need to know how to convert these numbers. Unfortunately you do. The Dalek language only has 7 digits: 0-6. This makes it impossible to write numbers from a base 10 system as there are no symbols for 7-9. At least it’s easy math.

Remember that there are no commas in the Dalek language. There is also no way of marking a serial like 5th or 22nd. Sentences are written in ways that negate the need for this. “Horse number 17 crossed the finish line in place 1.” Try reading this.

Here’s what it says. “The 50 year anniversary of Doctor Who aired on November 23 of the year 2013.” If you were able to read that on your own congratulations, you understand the Dalek writing system.