NauaNaua

Naua is a cursive or connective syllabic alphabet invented by Carl Buck and used to write Kala, a conlang also invented by Carl Buck. Naua is the primary script for Kala and is adapted from Ajan, which was originally created around 2002 and inspired by Nüshu.

Notable features

  1. Type of writing system: quasi-featural as the shapes of the consonants and vowel diacritics are meant to relay phonetic information. For instance, all sounds pronounced with the lips ("labial" sounds) have some element in common.
  2. Direction of writing: vertically in columns running left to right.
  3. Number of symbols: 14 consonant syllables and 9 basic diacritics that can be combined in numerous ways.
  4. "Naua" means 'rope; to tie' in Kala and refers to the appearance of the script and its resemblance to a rope, or thread.

Naua consonants

Naua consonants

Note

Where ~ appears, it indicates free variation between phonemes.

Naua vowels

Naua vowels

Naua brush strokes and direction

Naua brush strokes and direction

Naua writing method

Naua writing method

  1. The graphemes for pa and ka.
  2. Combining these renders pak.
  3. Adding a koli, or "tail" renders paka.
  4. Diacritic marks for /e/ and /o/ render peko /ˈpeː.ko/.
  5. Marks the labialization of /p/; /ˈpʷaː.ki/
  6. Shows the palatalization of /k/ and demonstrates two diacritics on one glyph; /ˈpaː.kʲo/, pakyo.
  7. The nasalization mark is shown on the ka syllable to render /ˈpun.ka/ or /ˈpuŋ.ka/, punka.
  8. The nasalization mark is shown on the initial glyph and demonstrates two diacritics on one glyph; /ˈᵐpoː.ka/, mpoka.

Naua glyphs that use no-conventional linking

The conventional link between glyphs does not always occur. There are eight constructions which use the koli to link glyphs that do not fit together in the standard way. When writing a word that begins with a vowel glyph that is followed by a na or nya, a koli is used instead of the zero consonant symbol. This is the only occasion that a koli will be marked with a vowel diacritic.

Naua numerals

Naua numerals

Higher numbers in Naua

Examples of higher numerals in Naua

Sample text in Naua

Sample text in Naua

Transliteration

kua tlana tsiya ma’a katsi ma kueli itlo nasa kam tlitsi ma toya yoha ma kanku ma’a tsaku te takun ketahe

Gloss

all human free with dignity and rights equal born 3PL reasoning and conscience possess and 3PL. RECP with idea of brotherhood behave.NEC

Translation

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
(Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

Useful phrases in Kala


If you have any questions about Naua, you can contact Carl at: cfbuckjr[at]gmail[dot]com

Writing systems by Carl Buck

Ajan, Ecta, Eshta, Moj, Naua, Ngala, Pesato, Uyata, Zhongyinzi

Other writing systems invented by visitors to this site


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Copyright 1998- Simon Ager