Gorwelion

The Gorwelion alphabet was invented by Pieter Rottiers. It is an adaptation of the earlier alphabet called Dhingion Niginair. The letters have been made horizontal again, and that's where the name comes from: the full name of this alphabet is 'Dhingion Gorwelion', which literally means 'the horizontal letters'.

Internal history

The Gorwelion alphabet was develloped during the union of the Dardanian Empire as a means of unification, and is still used in many parts of the kingdom as an official alphabet, meant to write rather secret letters (though real spies can read it of course). It goes back to the runes of the ancient times, but instead of full characters it only uses diacritics for the vowels, just like the older, more widespread Dhingion Niginair script.

Notable features

Type of writing system: alphabet
Direction of writing: left to right in horizontal lines
Used to write: Dardain
The form of the letters is based on Dhingion Niginair, which on its turn was based on the Ancient Runes.
Vowels are written as diacritics on the preceding consonant, except when they are at the beginning of a word or directly behind another vowel (e.g. In the word gorwelion).
The i though is never written. It is considered the most used vowel and is therefore omitted. Every consonant has an inherent i attached to it.
To distinguish consonants that are not followed by a vowel at all, a low-dot is put under the consonant concerned (otherwise the word Gorwelion would be read goriwelion instead of gorwelion).
There are no distinct capitals in Gorwelion.

Gorwelion alphabet

Gorwelion alphaet

Numerals

Gorwelion numerals

Punctuation

Gorwelion punctuation

Sample texts in the Gorwelion alphabet

Transliteration

Jezintar, dwynar bhfrebrinain mus'petrisil dhingir gcathic chiniat a'sorônn hornîl ervinair.

Translation

Jezintar, the thief of the most feared examination speaks tempting words to the dignified beggar's daughter.
This is a pangram in the Dardain language: it contains all letters of the alphabet.

Sample text in the Gorwelion alphabet

Transliteration

run'daerir saran hwi saiar in hornilîn hwi darcharîr nasil simoriat. Tharen hanwil hwi gcinsaen danwil ennoriat, hwi thare in sinhir bhfaridhinain thar araliniar turoriat.

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)

Download an Gorwelion font (TrueType format, 11K)

If you have any questions about the Gorwelion alphabet, you can contact Pieter Rottiers at