Orthography



Orthography refers to the writing system of a language. This article explains the Wistanain Script, Phonology, and Romanization letter-by-letter. Wistanian uses the Talivian Alphabet, however, there are two alternate scripts: The Nati Abugida and Bwolotil Alphabet, which are used sparingly from time to time.

The Talivian alphabet, which is by far the most common and standard method of writing, began development during the Diwa oppression when clever homeowners would send secret messages to one another by leaving their dishes outside their home in a certain order "so that they may dry". This tradition continued on for several years on until they settled in Wistania. To communicate long distances, messengers drew pictures of the dishes, in the correct order, on a piece of paper. These pictures were quickly standardized and became what is known as the Talivian alphabet.

There is no standard alphabetical order. However, each letter is grouped by Wistanian linguists as either hard, soft, heavy, light, or a vowel. When listing and teaching the alphabet, instructors and writers use these groups.

Baara


Letter Name: Baara /ˈbeɾə/

Description: A soft sound made with the lips.

IPA: /b/

Romanization: ⟨b⟩

Inspiration: A spoon with its handle down

Daara


Letter Name: Daara /ˈdeɾə/

Description: A soft sound made with the tip of the tongue.

IPA: /d/

Romanization: ⟨d⟩

Inspiration: A plate

Gaara


Letter Name: Gaara /ˈɡeɾə/

Description: a soft sound made with the back of the tongue

IPA: /ɡ/

Romanization: ⟨g⟩

Inspiration: A fork

Apa


Letter Name: Apa /əˈpa/

Description: A hard sound made with the lips

IPA: /p/

Romanization: ⟨bb⟩

Inspiration: Two spoons with their handles down

Ata


Letter Name: Ata /əˈta/

Description: A hard sound made with the tip of the tongue

IPA: /t/

Romanization: ⟨dd⟩

Inspiration: Two plates

Aka


Letter Name: Aka /əˈka/

Description: A hard sound made with the back of the tongue

IPA: /k/

Romanization: ⟨gg⟩

Inspiration: Two forks

Va


Letter Name: Va /ˈva/

Description: A heavy sound made with the top teeth and bottom lip

IPA: /v/

Romanization: ⟨v⟩

Inspiration: an upright cup

Za


Letter Name: Za /ˈza/

Description: A heavy sound made with the tip of the tongue

IPA: /z/

Romanization: ⟨z⟩

Inspiration: An upside-down cup

Ja


Letter Name: Ja /ˈʒa/

Description: A heavy sound made with the teeth

IPA: /ʒ/

Romanization: ⟨j⟩

Inspiration: A jagged knife

Im


Letter Name: Im /ˈim/

Description: A heavy sound made with the lips and nostrils

IPA: /m/

Romanization: ⟨m⟩

Inspiration: A large upside down bowl

In


Letter Name: In /ˈin/

Description: A heavy sound made with the tip of the tongue and nostrils

IPA: /n/ [ŋ]

Romanization: ⟨n⟩

Inspiration: A small upside down bowl

Wara


Letter Name: Wara /ˈwaɾə/

Description: A light sound made with the lips

IPA: /w ~ βʷ/

Romanization: ⟨w⟩

Inspiration: A small upright bowl

Ara


Letter Name: Ara /ˈaɾə/

Description: A light sound made with the tip of the tongue

IPA: /ɾ~r/

Romanization: ⟨r⟩

Inspiration: A saucer

Yara


Letter Name: Yara /ˈjaɾə/

Description: A light sound made with a high tongue

IPA: /j/

Romanization: ⟨y⟩

Inspiration: A ladle

Lil


Letter Name: Lil /ˈlil/

Description: A light sound made with the tip of a curled tongue

IPA: /l/

Romanization: ⟨l⟩

Inspiration: A knife

Hil


Letter Name: hil /ˈɦil/

Description: A light sound made with air in the back of the mouth

IPA: /ɦ/ [ɣ]

Romanization: ⟨h⟩

Inspiration: a bowl lid

A


Letter Name: A /ˈa/

Description: A vowel

IPA: /a/ [ə]

Romanization: ⟨a⟩

Inspiration: A spoon with its handle up

I


Letter Name: I /ˈi/

Description: A vowel

IPA: /i/ /ai̯/ [ɪ]

Romanization: ⟨i⟩

Inspiration: a pick

Aa


Letter Name: Aa /ˈe/

Description: A vowel

IPA: /e/

Romanization: ⟨aa⟩

Inspiration: two spoon with their handles up

U


Letter Name: U /ˈɯ/

Description: A vowel

IPA: /ɯ/ [u]

Romanization: ⟨u⟩

Inspiration: A large upright bowl

Au


Letter Name: Au /ˈɑ/

Description: A vowel

IPA: /ɑ/ [ɒ]

Romanization: ⟨au⟩

Inspiration: a spoon with its handle up beside a large upright bowl