Okay, let's set some ground rules for the "Squiddies'" language. We're using a conceit that a human can produce the sounds of their language with minimal difficulty or using VERY simple mechanical aids, right?
What sort of sounds do we want for them to use? I recommend few if any labial plosives as we know them [ p, b, and the like] and a different focus of their vowel system. That is, lets say they can use these sounds [letters are presumptive "normal usage" English]:
Consonant-ish things:
h
s
sh
f [as a variant on h]
k
l
r
g
z
j [as variant on sh]
Tongue clicks [human approximation, at least three variants]
Cheek-finger pop [likewise, without variants]
Semivowels:
w
y
glottal stop?
Vowels:
Mostly the things usually written with o's, u's, and quite a few umlauts, with several other sounds possible.
Some human language sounds may likely require "strange" behaviors from the Squddies to produce as well.
Meh, just an early idea right now.
''We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat
them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary.''
-- James Nicoll
What sort of sounds do we want for them to use? I recommend few if any labial plosives as we know them [ p, b, and the like] and a different focus of their vowel system. That is, lets say they can use these sounds [letters are presumptive "normal usage" English]:
Consonant-ish things:
h
s
sh
f [as a variant on h]
k
l
r
g
z
j [as variant on sh]
Tongue clicks [human approximation, at least three variants]
Cheek-finger pop [likewise, without variants]
Semivowels:
w
y
glottal stop?
Vowels:
Mostly the things usually written with o's, u's, and quite a few umlauts, with several other sounds possible.
Some human language sounds may likely require "strange" behaviors from the Squddies to produce as well.
Meh, just an early idea right now.
''We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat
them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary.''
-- James Nicoll