The Language Game
Game Description
The Language Game is a game of translation. In each round you will be given a series of icons along with a word, phrase, or sentence in a made-up language of my design (let's call it Niccan). After the ideas to be expressed by the clues become too abstract to be depicted visually the icons will be replaced by English words. At the bottom of each set of icons will be an English word, phrase, or sentence and a text box. The objective of each round is to translate the provided English word (or words) into Niccan.
The first two rounds will be very easy, but the rest will get progressively harder. There are a few things you should keep in mind as you work through the game:
- Niccan is a language, not a code. Translation does not consist of simply substituting letters or even words. It has its own vocabulary and grammar.
- Niccan is perfectly regular. Unlike real languages, there are no exceptions or irregularities. A rule you learn in one context will apply in another context; if it doesn't that means you don't understand the rule correctly.
- The border colors on the icons is significant. I'm not just making a fashion statement.
- Make a dictionary and grammar reference as you go. The translation for each round will almost always call on vocabulary or grammar from previous rounds, even if it wasn't used in that round's translation. Everything will be used at least once during the course of the entire game.
- Pay attention the way words are used within phrases and sentences, as well as how they change in context. You're going to have to make similar changes when you translate into Niccan.
- I am a koko myself, and being human I do make mistakes. If you find that something just plain doesn't make sense, it might be my fault. (I've had to make one correction already.) E-mail me (my address is in the "Contact" page) if you think that might be the case.
It will probably be a while before this is finished, but even until then I hope you enjoy playing it. If you have any suggestions, questions, or criticisms, feel free to tell me.
Some notes on Niccan pronunciation
The Niccan alphabet
