Language in the Splatoon series

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Inkling[1], also referred to as squid language, or “inklish”,[2], is the language in which Inklings in the Splatoon series communicate. While individual letters, words, and the occasional phrase are often similar to real-life languages, Inkling as a whole has been confirmed by Splatoon developers to be almost entirely random.[3]

Inkling is also sometimes referred to by fans as "Inklish", which is a combination of the words "English" and "Inkling".

Appearance

Much of the Inkling language seems similar to the Cyrillic and Latin alphabets. Many letters also resemble Japanese characters.

Inkling speech may occasionally sound and in some ways look like real words, but for the most part, it is indecipherable high-pitched gurgling.

Readable words

Some Inkling words are clearly readable as English or Japanese words.

Words within the Splatoon universe

Image Description
On Air Sign.jpg The studio where Inkopolis News is filmed has an "On Air" sign.
Mahi building closeup.png The sign at Mahi-Mahi Resort, saying "Mahi-Mahi Resort and Spa".
File:Shellendorf Banner.PNG The banner at Shellendorf Institute resembles the letters "Tho Davon Mujum," which is similar to the stage's name in Japanese, "Devon Oceanographic Museum".
File:Squid Beatz 2 title.jpg Squid Beatz 2's logo resembles the words "Ika Radio 2", translating to "Squid Radio 2".
Inkopolis News.png The Squid Sisters' logo says "Pitz 2", which is similar to "Peace 2'.
Exit sign.jpg This sign in Moray Towers says 'Exit'.
File:Nintendo sign.jpg This reads 'Nintendo'. This is found in Ancho-V Games.
TestPassed screen.png The text around TEST PASSED! reads "Mission Clear" and "Number 10008".
Wahoo World Logo.jpg The logo of Wahoo World seems to spell out "SMESHI WORLD", which is the stage's name in Japanese.
File:Information-desk-WahooWorld.jpeg The sign seems to spell "information" in English. This is located in Wahoo World.
Lobby Tower SquidForce Three Logo.jpg The sign on the Unnamed Battle Lobby Tower in Splatoon 3. The text after SquidForce's logo seems to spell "ThREE" in English.
  • Octopus-style posters near the Deepsea Metro read "Octavi", similar to "octavo" which means "eighth", along with a faded picture of an octopus. It is possibly a movie poster.
  • MakoMart posters have oranges on them and read "StVy Fresh", which is very similar to "Stay Fresh". This implies that the slogan was adopted as a food motto as well, also a pun for the real-life term fresh fruit.

Brands

Image Description
S Brand Ammo Knights.png Ammo Knights' logo resembles the words "Kuji Alive", which is similar to "Weapons Alive" or "Kuji Weapon Shop". While these names are never seen in Splatoon, the names may be concept names or location codes.
Forge vector.png The Forge brand logo resembles the letters "Forリマ", which is similar to the brand's name in Japanese, フォーリマ (fōrima).
Splashmob vector.png The Splash Mob brand logo resembles the letters "GiMN", which is similar to the brand's name in Japanese, ジモン (jimon). Interestingly, Gimn is a Russian word, meaning "Anthem", "Canticle", "Carol" or "Hymn".
Tentatek.png The Tentatek brand logo resembles the letters "AROME", which is the brand's name in Japanese, アロメ (arome).
Zink vector.png The Zink brand logo resembles the letters "IArOIC", which vaguely resembles the brand's name in Japanese, アイロニック (aironikku, i.e. "ironic").

Splatfest shirts

Decoding

There have been many attempts at decoding the Inkling language but so far none have been successful, leading some to believe the language is just gibberish.

Others believe that, since Nintendo has made previous languages with some translatable words before, such as the Hylian language from the Legend of Zelda series, it could be possible that Inkling can be translated.

Official lyrics for songs by Off the Hook and the Squid Sisters have been distributed with merchandise, such as albums and piano sheet music. An in-universe interview with Wet Floor also disclosed a couple of lines for the song Inkoming! that incorporate sounds resembling English words. Lyrics for Ebb & Flow (Octo) are also shown to incorporate the word "splatoon", albeit slightly deviated from how it is normally spelled in katakana.

Octoling language

The Octolings seem to have their own language seen in Octo Valley and Octo Canyon. It has many similarities to the Inkling language but seems to be in a more box-style font unlike the Inkling language, which can be in a variety of fonts. The Octoling language seems to have two dialects similar to Japanese: the normal Octolings make Inkling-esque sounds, while Octosnipers, Octocommanders and all varieties of Octotrooper make groaning sounds that mimic the noises Inklings and Octolings make when they take damage or are splatted. The noises Jellyfish make (Jelonzo and Jelfonzo, as other Jellyfish are never heard talking) seem to speak in the same "groaning" dialect, implying that some Jellyfish speak Octoling.

In the Japanese versions of both Splatoon games, Inklings talk in hiragana, and Octarians in katakana (along with a brainwashed Callie and Marina, occasionally; detailed in The Art of Splatoon 2). In Japanese media, a character's dialogue being written with katakana can also imply a foreign accent of some sort. Off the Hook's songs are bilingual, with both Pearl and Marina singing portions in Octoling. An Inkling's experience listening to them has been compared to Japanese people listening to English-language songs without an understanding of the language, but an appreciation of the melody.[4]

Audio

Gallery

Names in other languages

Template:Foreignname

See also

References

  1. ↑ Nintendo Jelfonzo - Play Nintendo
  2. ↑ YouTube Splatoon 2 - Live Concert at Nintendo Live 2019 - Nintendo Switch (via closed captioning)
  3. ↑ Mynavi: 「Splatoon(スプラトゥーン)」のイカしたデザインのひみつ(後編) (3) 解読不可能? イカ語のひみつに迫る | マイナビニュース (Splatoon developer interview)
  4. ↑ Famitsu: イイダのパートはイカと異なる言語、サーモンランはシャケを鼓舞する変拍子。『スプラトゥーン2』サウンドに迫る、サントラインタビュー (Splatoon 2 composer interview)
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