Language in the Splatoon series
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The name(s) presented could be conjectural.
Inkling,[1] also referred to as squid language,[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] However, it has been discovered that there are several scripts which are decipherable.
Inkling is also sometimes referred to by fans as "Inklish", which is a combination of the words "English" and "Inkling".
Appearance
Across the games, numerous fictitious scripts used in the games world can be observed, ranging from unique glyphs to ones resembling human scripts like Japanese, Arabic and Cyrillic. Speech-wise, Inkling speech does not seem to possess any deeper meaning that would correspond to the species' written language, aside from certain voice clips resembling Japanese or English words at times. Ultimately, it is indecipherable high-pitched gurgling.
Scripts
It has been discovered that many of the fictitious scripts used throughout the games are decipherable. Scripts that are decipherable have each fictitious letter correspond to the letters of the Latin alphabet; we refer to this as "deciphered" when talking about occurences of these scripts in the game. However, this order is not the only way in which the developers apply the scripts to in-world text. Another method used is to forgo the actual meaning of the script and pick characters based on how closely they resemble the latin letters. This method is what we call “mimicking”.
An example would be the cover artwork from Turquoise October from the first Splatoon game. In this case, the Square Script at the bottom is used in a way to mimic the band's name, even though this is not the actual meaning of the letters based on what has been deciphered from texts using the true order of the script. The twenty-fourth Sunken Scroll from Splatoon 2 is an example of the same script being used in its true order, which doesn’t resemble what the text would look like in the Latin alphabet. Any situation in which fictitious letters seem to resemble an English word will most likely not reflect the true meaning of the script, and should not be used as a basis for deciphering work. Furthermore, there are also instances where fictitious letters are being used that are not part of a complete script, which is often the case with in-game company logos for example. If the letters used in these situations do not show up anywhere else, it is likely not a real script and was only designed for the logo specifically.
There are also situations in which scripts are used neither to mimic, nor in the true order, but in a scrambled manner, in which characters are rotated and flipped to display gibberish text. In text where characters are rotated and flipped in ways we know should not exist going off of the true order, this text is to be considered meaningless. Lastly, the glyphs that resemble characters from other human languages, such as Japanese or Arabic, are not known to possess any internal order.
Focusing on the usage of the script’s true orders from now, there are also different languages in which the scripts may be written in. While most of the time the developers write in English, there are also frequent occurrences where the scripts are used to write romanized Japanese. Template:Todo
| Script | Description |
|---|---|
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TThis "Bold" script resembles the typeface primarily used in the original Splatoon game for dialogue. It appears in both games and is widely used on e.g clothes, weapons. Bold script is most commonly used to mimic words or to write gibberish, which is why it was assumed to be indecipherable for many years. Examples of this script can be seen on the  Splatfest Tee, where it's always used to mimic the text for the Splatfest team's name. This script is unique for having both an uppercase and lowercase form. Which symbols correspond to f, v, and x in lowercase Bold script are currently unknown.
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This "Square" script appears in Splatoon, Splatoon 2 and in promotional material for Splatoon 3. This script is widely used for various different applications e.g. on weapons, clothes, in Sunken Scrolls, buildings, and it's often used for large bodies of text such as in the descriptions of Museum d'Alfonsino and Shellendorf Institute. There are numerous additional symbols associated with square script that do not appear in its deciphered form. The Sunken Scrolls reveal it's also the text used in Inkling social media, and it's also used in Octarian weapon blueprints. It's also present throughout the underground facility in Octo Expansion. This wide application suggests it may be language understood by several species. Several letters in this alphabet map to the same symbols: L and V, G and W, D and X, F and Y, and H and Z. |
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This "Round" script appears in Splatoon and Splatoon 2. It is mostly used on buildings, signs and posters. This script is distinct in that its deciphered form clearly resembles Latin script. Despite this, it is still sometimes used to mimic words. |
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Compared to the previously listed scripts, this "Bubble" script is rarely used. Bubble script has not yet been used to mimic any words in English or Japanese. It is often used to write complete gibberish. Several letters in this alphabet map to the same symbols: A and R, S and B, C and T, D and U, E and V, F and W, G and X, H and Y, and K and Z. |
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"Runic" script appears in various places, notably in some Sunken Scrolls. It's sometimes used in longer bodies of gibberish text. Several letters in this alphabet map to the same symbols: C and W, D and U, E and N, I and Y, and O and Z. Which symbols correspond to v and x in Runic script are currently unknown. |
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"Serif" script is nicknamed as such for how it resembles letters with serifs on them. Appears in many places. Several letters in this alphabet map to the same symbols: F and U, I and X, J and Y, I and Y, and E, T and Z share one symbol. |
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"Halfmoon" script is primarily used in place of a headline. Notably, it appears on the cover of HaikaraWalker. . Several letters in this alphabet map to the same symbols: A and H, B and S, D and G, E and M, F and U, I and W, K and Y, and L and Z. Which symbols correspond to v and x in Halfmoon script are currently unknown. |
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This "Deepsea Stencil" script made its debut in Octo Expansion and is one of most frequently used scripts there. The symbols used in order were shown for this script in HaikaraWalker. It seems that this script is solely used to mimic words. |
| image | This "Deepsea Block" script made its debut in Octo Expansion and is another often used script there. The symbols used in order were shown for this script in HaikaraWalker. It seems that this script is solely used to mimic words. |
Readable Texts From Known Scripts
Bold Script
Deciphered
| Image | Meaning | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
 |
TOKI MEKI BOMB☆RUSH | The logo seen on the Squid Sisters' trucks when Callie performs Bomb Rush Blush. Refers to the Japanese name of the song, トキメキ☆ボムラッシュ Tokimeki☆Bomu Rasshu |
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IM NURANEB, Aori Hotaru | The logo seen on the Squid Sisters' trucks when they perform Now or Never!. Misspells the Japanese name of the song, イマ・ヌラネバー！ Ima Nuranebā!. "Aori" is Callie's Japanese name while "Hotaru" is Marie's Japanese name. |
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the FOOD TRUCK handbook | From Sunken Scroll 4 in Splatoon 2. The remaining Bold script as well as the Serif and Halfmoon script writings on here are gibberish. |
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Open! Wakamono no tyushin Haikara Square no Iccacha ga grand open! | This is romanized Japanese, and it translates to English as "The Shoal's having a grand opening at the heart of youth culture, Inkopolis Square!" From Sunken Scroll 10 in Splatoon 2. |
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GAS, OPEN | From the signs present in Scorch Gorge. |
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newsardh ineirpori Aori kita, Shinsouya IKAnisite!?, _aininki kyuugyounouwa_an! | Top right caption has misspellings, but means "Callie came to New Sardine Airport". |
Mimicked words
| Image | Meaning | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
File:Splatfest Team Water Slide Shirt Text.jpg   |
WATER SLIDE, CAT, DOG, | Nearly all Splatfest Tees have readable words. A few examples are listed here. For more images of Splatfest Tees, see Splatfest team tees from Splatoon and Splatfest team tees from Splatoon 2. |
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TOWER RECORDS HICOLOR | Billboard present in Inkopolis Square. |
.jpg) |
60% OFF | From a MakoMart ad shown on a screen in Inkopolis Square. |
Square Script
Deciphered
| Image | Meaning | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
 |
www.seaocolors.com | Located at the bottom of the poster. The remaining square script text is gibberish. |
   |
See images for meaning. | The entirety of Sunken Scroll 24 is in odd, but readable, English. See images for more details. |
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FLIGHT IKA AIRLINES, PASSENGER MIURA, SEAT, DEPARTURE | "Miura" is Flow's name in Japanese. From Sunken Scroll 7 in Splatoon 2. |
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#morning coffe #bed #lazy ledgs #capuccino, #avocado toast #fresh #california #ika moyou #eff, #travel #love #foever #sunlight #girl friend | hashtags are listed from left to right, misspellings are left as is. The tag ika moyou means "squid design", referring to the squid-shaped egg yolk. From Sunken Scroll 12 in Splatoon 2. |
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POWERFUL BODY! | From Haikara Walker (page 227). |
| File:S2 My Nintendo Splatfest Octoling Poster.jpg | TAKOOCTORING | From a My Nintendo Reward, appearing in the side and at the first word at the bottom of the image. Appears to be a portmanteau of "Tako", the Japanese word for "Octopus", and "Octoling". The rest of the Square Script at the bottom appears to be gibberish. |
| File:Squid Beatz 2 title.jpg | HOGEGAMES | "HOGE" is a word used as a placeholder in computer programming, like "foobar." |
| File:GATI poster inkopolis square.PNG | BATTLE OF CHAMPIONS, GATI, AKATEAM VS MIDORI, SATURDAY FEBURARY 15 7PM | A poster found in Inkopolis Square. "GATI" seems to be odd romanization of gachi, referring to the Japanese name for Ranked Battle, ガチマッチ Gachi Matchi. Aka means "red" and midori means green. "February" is misspelled on the poster. The remaining text is gibberish. |
Mimicked words
| Image | Meaning | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
|
TURQUOIS OCTOBER | Turquoise October album jacket from Splatoon. |
| File:S2 Band Turquoise October.jpg | OCT TOOL | Turquoise October album jacket from Splatoon 2. |
Round Script
Deciphered
| Image | Meaning | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
 |
ON AIR | From the studio where Inkopolis News is filmed. |
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LIVE, niconicochokaici, SHIOKARAZ | The "niconicochokaici" is in small text at the top, and alludes to "niconico chokaigi". "LIVE" is at the top part of the poster. "SHIOKARAZ" Refers to the Japanese name of the Squid Sisters. |
| File:S2 UFO Catcher Text.jpg | UFO CATCHER | From the Arcade Machine directly next to where the player can access Squid Beatz 2 in Inkopolis Square. The text underneath it appears to not be Round Script, but instead seems to be attempting to mimic Japanese. |
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LI VE, HICOLOR | From the official art for the Inkopolis Live event at Tokaigi 2018. HICOLOR refers to the Japanese name of Inkopolis, Haikara |
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IDATEN | From the IShipIt logo. Idaten(Skanda) is a bodhisattva known for his fast running. The Japanese name of IshipIt, Ikaten Transport イカテン急便, is a pun on Ika (squid) and Idaten. |
Mimicked words
| Image | Meaning | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
.jpg) |
SALE, ANNVESAR | From a MakoMart ad show on a screen in Inkopolis Square, alluding to an anniversary sale. |
Bubble Script
Deciphered
| Image | Meaning | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
 |
SU MISO AE NIGHT | The logo seen on the Squid Sisters' trucks when Marie performs Tide Goes Out. Refers to the Japanese name of the song, スミソアエの夜 Sumisoae no Yoru, instead using the English translation of yoru, "night." |
|
AVOCADO TOAST | Text found on the image in the middle. From Sunken Scroll 12 found in Octo Canyon. |
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TAKONINARERUKO | Tako ni nareru ko means "A kid who could be an octopus." From a promotional poster for Squid vs. Octopus (2018), appearing in the green box on the bottom right of the image. |
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YAPPARIIKAGASUKI | Yappari ika ga suki means "I like squid as always." From a promotional poster for Squid vs. Octopus (2018), appearing in the pink box on the bottom right of the image. |
Runic Script
Deciphered
| Image | Meaning | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
 |
IKASUGRAM | The header of the website. Combines the words "Instagram" with ikasu, "fresh." From Sunken Scroll 22. |
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KANIDER | On Bisk's guitar pick. Kani means "crab" in Japanese. From Sunken Scroll 6 in Splatoon 2. |
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ZOO PLANKTON AKTO ZAKOU | The largest text in the middle of the page on the right. Sunken Scroll 14 seems to be written in romanized Japanese. AKTO may be a misspelling of something, ZAKOU means "small fish." What can be made out from the remaining text on the scroll is that it's about research into microorganisms, but unfortunately the text is small and littered with misspellings, making translation extremely difficult. |
Serif Script
Deciphered
| Image | Meaning | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
 |
HOTARU'S GOKAKU MAMORI | A gōkaku mamori refers to a kind of good luck amulet used to pass exams. Hotaru is Marie's Japanese name. From Sunken Scroll 20. |
|
IKASGRAM, 3 HOURS AGO, FRESH, HIKARI ISIMOTI, IKA KAWAII, IKETERU IKA | IKASGRAM combines "Instagram" with ikasu, "fresh." It could also be playing on the word ika, "squid." FRESH seems to replace the follow button. The last 3 listed meanings are the usernames. Hikari is a common Japanese first name, meaning "light." Ishimoti is the Japanese word for a white croaker. Ika kawaii means "squid cute." Iketeru ika means "Stylish squid." From Sunken Scroll 12 in Splatoon 2. |
|
MEDIUM | On Bisk's guitar pick. From Sunken Scroll 6 in Splatoon 2. |
Halfmoon Script
Deciphered
| Image | Meaning | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
 |
HIKARA | The in-game version of HaikaraWalker. |
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SEAOCOLORS AORI | Used as the newspaper's headline. From Sunken Scroll 21. |
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NOURISHING | From Haikara Walker (page 227). |
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THANK YOU FOR IIKA FUNK | From the Squid or Octo series shoe box. |
Deepsea Stencil Script
Unlike the previous scripts, Deepsea stencil does not consistently follow its internal order and is almost entirely used to mimic words.
| Image | Meaning | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
 |
Mission Clear, Number 10008 | Seen in the text surrounding the "TEST PASSED!" text. |
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NOTICE, 24 HO8 VDEO | Corruption of "24 HOUR VIDEO" |
Deepsea Block Script
Like Deepsea Stencil, Deepsea Block does not consistently follow its internal order and is almost entirely used to mimic words.
Other Examples of Readable Texts
The following examples show text that are designed to mimic words and do not fall under any of the above listed scripts.
| Image Image | Meaning | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
 |
Mahi-Mahi Resort and Spa | The sign at Mahi-Mahi Resort. |
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EXIT | A sign in Moray Towers. |
| File:Nintendo sign.jpg | Nintendo | Found in Ancho-V Games. |
| "Tho Davon Mujum" | The banner at Shellendorf Institute, Likely supposed to resemble "The Devon Museum" which is similar to the stage's name in Japanese, "Devon Oceanographic Museum". | |
| File:Squid Beatz 2 title.jpg | Ika Radio 2 | Squid Beatz 2's logo resembles the words "Ika Radio 2", translating to "Squid Radio 2". |
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SMESHI WORLD | The logo of Wahoo World seems to spell out "SMESHI WORLD", which is the stage's name in Japanese. |
| File:Information-desk-WahooWorld.jpeg | INFORMATION | Located in Wahoo World. |
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ThREE | The sign on the Unnamed Battle Lobby Tower in Splatoon 3. The text after SquidForce's logo seems to spell "ThREE" in English. |
Gear and Weapon Brands
| Image | Meaning | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
 |
KNBI ARMS | Ammo Knights' logo loosely resembles "KNBI ARMS", a shortened form of Kanburi Arms, the Japanese name of Ammo Knights. |
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Forリマ | 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). |
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GiMN | 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". |
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AROME | The Tentatek brand logo resembles the letters "AROME", which is the brand's name in Japanese, アロメ (arome). |
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IArOIC | 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"). |
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大王イカ(daiō-ika) | The Enperry brand logo loosely resembles 大王イカ (daiō-ika), the Japanese name for the giant squid. |
Spoken Language
The spoken language used in Splatoon consists of completely indecipherable gurgling. Certain voice lines vaguely resemble words in Japanese or English. Beyond that, there's no deeper meaning to the spoken language.
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.
Audio
Octarian language
The Octarians in Octo Valley and Octo Canyon are stated to have a language different to that of the Inklings. Its written form is sometimes represented with Square Script, but this is not consistent. In its spoken form, Octolings make Inkling-esque sounds, while Octosnipers, Octocommanders and all varieties of Octotrooper make groaning sounds that bear some resemblance to the noises Inklings and Octolings make when they take damage or are splatted.
In Japanese Splatoon media, Inkling language is represented through regular Japanese, while Octarian speech is written entirely in katakana. In Japanese media, a character's dialogue being written with katakana can imply a foreign accent or language of some sort. When Callie is brainwashed, her speech is entirely in katakana, showing that she may be speaking Octarian. Marina occasionally slips into speaking Octarian; detailed in The Art of Splatoon 2. Off the Hook's songs are bilingual, with both Pearl and Marina singing portions in Octarian. They mostly sing in their respective languages, but there are times where Pearl sings with Marina in Octarian, even if her lyrics are still written in hiragana. 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]
When using the Octoling amiibo, their dialogue is written in broken English, implying that they do not speak the Inkling language natively.
Gallery
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An Inkling stands in front of a sign written in Round script. Much of it is gibberish.
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The back of amiibo box found in Inkopolis Plaza using the out-of-bounds glitch, mostly written in Bold and Square script. It is entirely gibberish.
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The front of Inkopolis Tower's Battle Lobby is labelled in Inkling, along with the brand on the speakers
Names in other languages
See also
References
- ↑
Jelfonzo - Play Nintendo
- ↑
Splatoon 2 - Live Concert at Nintendo Live 2019 - Nintendo Switch (via closed captioning)
- ↑ 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)
- ↑ 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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