Naua
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
- 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.
- Direction of writing: vertically in columns running left to right.
- Number of symbols: 14 consonant syllables and 9 basic diacritics that can be combined in numerous ways.
- "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
Note
Where ~ appears, it indicates free variation between phonemes.
Naua vowels
Naua brush strokes
Naua writing method
- The graphemes for pa and ka.
- Combining these renders pak.
- Adding a koli, or "tail" renders paka.
- Diacritic marks for /e/ and /o/ render peko /ˈpeː.ko/.
- Marks the labialization of /p/; /ˈpʷaː.ki/
- Shows the palatalization of /k/ and demonstrates two diacritics on one glyph; /ˈpaː.kʲo/, pakyo.
- The nasalization mark is shown on the ka syllable to render /ˈpun.ka/ or /ˈpuŋ.ka/, punka.
- The nasalization mark is shown on the initial glyph and demonstrates two diacritics on one glyph; /ˈᵐpoː.ka/, mpoka.
Naua Kasi
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
Higher numbers 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
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,
Kala,
Kenamoya,
Kitse,
Moj,
Naua,
Pesato,
Uyata,
Zhongyinzi
Other writing systems invented by visitors to this site
If you need to type in many different languages, the Q International Keyboard can help. It enables you to type almost any language that uses the Latin, Cyrillic or Greek alphabets, and is free.
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