Okoto written language

[Metax]

Seems pretty Aztec-themed.

Not that I have a problem, they could take any kind of culture from greek, norse, arab, african, and even innuit.

 

BUT NOT ANYTHING CHINESE/JAPANESE/KOREAN. Nononononononononononononononono. Nein. Nu. Non.

 

リ   二　三,　ㄷ  ㅣ  ㄱ  ㄴ ㅁ ㅋ    

 

Perhaps Japanese (First 3) and Korean (Latter 6) is exactly what they based it off of.   

[Zeb]

I think the symbols that look like other ones but flipped 180 degrees might actually be separate symbols. If so, that means there are more symbols than we may have thought. And it seems quite possible that the symbols that look like flipped versions of other symbols might indicate which symbols are the b, d, p, q, r, & g symbols, as well as m & w.

 

Also, the blue & light purple symbols are probably one single symbol, as they never appear apart.

Knowing this, and after seeing a recently locked topic about this very same subject, I think:

 

the yellow symbol is m or w.

 

So, if we try and translate the message on one of the solid gold mask pedestals, I got...

 

1:????M?????

2:????????W

 

???????M

(can't read this line of symbols)

 

Yeah, no idea how to decode any further than that.

[Taka Nuvia]

I really hope those symbols do turn out to be some kind of written alphabet, for it was something I really liked about Gen1. Even though it will probably be a lot harder for me to memorize and decipher than the old alphabet was... It works well with the art style of the animations, though.

Edited November 9, 2014 by Fairy Paladin

[Boidoh]

You know what this looks like? The symbols from the pause screen from BIONICLE The Game.

[bohrokman]

i think we will get a translator soon enough 

[Toa Green Ninja]

What to think?

 

 

I'm pretty sure the first image is just the Prophecy of Heroes written out in the language, as whispered by Ekimu's body, but the text on the walls of the Temple of Time are sure a mystery.

[Jayk]

It'd be fantastic if we got a spoken language too, and not just an alphabet.  Probably not, because that gets complicated, but I can dream...

[IcarusBen]

I can imagine that the Protectoran (just what I call them, since I feel the Protectors are more like a title, not the species name) will get a sizable vocabulary but not an actual language.

 

Speaking of which, if anyone watches Stargate (Silvan, I'm looking at you) then the new Okoto script reminds me of the Ancient script, with it's lovely use of sharp edges.

[RahiSpeak]

I decided to try counting all of the symbols in an effort to see if they had any meaning. Unfortunately, they all occur with roughly the same frequency. Real languages don't do that. Unless of course, these symbols are like Chinese calligraphy, where each character represents a word, but that seems unlikely. Or, perhaps there are many other symbols within the language and we only have seen this one word repeated over and over again, but this seems pointless. In all likelyhood, LEGO probably never intended these symbols to have any meaning. I say this because it does not appear that Generation 2 has nearly the depth of story as Generation 1. They know their target market and they probably figure that that market isn't particular about such things.

[Space Urchin]

Hurray, another language to memorize and write in so nobody can read it but me!

[Toarobot18]

A few days ago I tried interpreting these symbols in two or three different ways and then ran them through some cypher breakers. No luck. Additionally, it looks like in at least one instance they took the same pattern and removed a couple symbols in order to make it look like the writing varied. Even if these symbols do end up getting assigned meanings later, for now it appears like they are simply being used to create the appearance of written language, and nothing more.

[SkullKid]

What to think?

 

 

I'm pretty sure the first image is just the Prophecy of Heroes written out in the language, as whispered by Ekimu's body, but the text on the walls of the Temple of Time are sure a mystery.

Actually, it is not too much of a mystery. 

It's a little tough to see, just because it is blurry, but there is a clear pattern to the writings on the walls.

Its the same pattern of the bit you see in the Akimu Panel. And in the temple, it looks like a different set of charecters for each line, but its not....its a pattern of the same string. It goes something like this. 

1. Regular

 

2. 1 mirrored on the X Axis.

 

3. 2 Mirrored on the Y axis

 

4. 3 Mirrored on the X Axis OR 1 Mirrored on the Y Axis

 

And it just sort of continues from there.....

 

My theory: I'm not sure its a language... I think its decorative imagery. But if it is indeed writing...its repeating a word over and over again. 

-SK

 

Additional thought: If it is indeed a word, it would have to be a word that no letters repeat.

Edited December 23, 2014 by SkullKid

[UnderscoreChronix]

I'm pretty sure the language means absolutely nothing whatsoever. Just for decoration.

[renaldohoek]

Taking into account these symbols appear in the same sequence over and over, with very little variation, the likeliest of situations is that it's just design filler. Now, that's not to say a language won't be developed later on in Bionewcle's product life cycle, with this pattern obtaining some significance later on, but as of now I wouldn't read too deep into it.

 

With more emphasis put into developing both the animation style and actual sets under one design theory, the worldbuilding component of the theme isn't quite as fleshed out as it's been before (at least as far as we can see right now). This is more likely a business move than anything else, taking into account Lego's need to appeal to a new, younger audience whose collective interest lies more in how awesome Tahu's lavasurfing is as opposed to the fluctuating price of maha meat in Po-Koro. Those kinds of things are secondary when you're trying to move product.

 

Personally, I don't see a new alphabet being made, though I sincerely hope I'm wrong. Of course, for those of you who fancy yourself linguistic enthusiasts, there's always http://www.bzpower.com/board/blog/732-in-a-hole-in-the-ground-there-lived/".

 

 

Edited December 23, 2014 by renaldohoek

[Boidoh]

I still think the symbols are as pointless as these from BIONICLE the game.

 

http://www.majhost.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=4084673

[fishers64]

The runes flowing from Ekimu's mouth might provide a clue, except we don't know what the runes mean, so it's unlikely that could serve as a key. 

[Tanu Toa of Earth]

It's really starting to not feel like what Bionicle was. No original matoran alphabet, the masters aren't even referred to as Toa, and why doesn't Arthaka have the mask of creation? I know it's probably a reboot, but I feel like we've lost so much.

Couldn't they've at least kept the same alphabet? Called the mask creator guy Arthaka? Toa instead of master?

It never was what BIONICLE was, nor is it intended to be... But either way, this isn't an alphabet at all, just some funky symbols that aren't really worth extrapolating an actual alphabet out of. And that does disappoint me. It isn't the exact content that I miss. It's the concept of having a deeper story. More background for those who want it, and no need to study that background for those who don't want to. This Bionicle theme doesn't offer that second level, and feels generally brainless - moreso than even Chima or Hero Factory. Sometimes I wonder why people can't fix what's broken (too many plot threads to manage) without overcompensating or 'fixing' what is NOT broken as well.

[Lyichir]

It's entirely possible that a SIMILAR language or cipher will be introduced in some future media (such as books or magazines), but the current imagery is just gibberish used as a placeholder.

 

And if a year down the road that turns out not to be the case? I suppose then it falls to enterprising fans to craft an actual usable cipher with the same visual language as the gibberish "runes".

[Cambion]

I'm pretty sure the language means absolutely nothing whatsoever. Just for decoration.

I still think the symbols are as pointless as these from BIONICLE the game.

 

http://www.majhost.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=4084673

 

doesn't mean we couldn't turn both of them into alphabets/languages though.

 

(i'd never noticed the BTG symbols before and now i'm intrigued)

[Zox Tomana]

The repeats and reflections make it more likely that this is decorative text, and while I'd bet the same about the game's symbols... I can't detect a pattern with a casual look so...

[Tamarutoe]

I can't imagine Lego making a script that didn't translate letter-for-letter back to Latin. Also 6-7 symbols total is really low. It's a shame though. I really liked all the opportunities for easter eggs the old alphabet provided.

[DragonMaster2050]

It's worth pointing out that there are 10 distinct symbols in the Temple of Time image, which means they could be numbers instead of letters.

[SkullKid]

It's worth pointing out that there are 10 distinct symbols in the Temple of Time image, which means they could be numbers instead of letters.

Okay, thats not a bad theory.....

-SK

[Toa of Mirrors]

The symbols look great! By the way -Takua-, did you make the Metru Nui Online Game?

[ToaDraco]

When I first saw these symbols I immediately thought of the Grineer language from Warframe, anyone else an avid warframer? If not, check it out it's an awesome game. I loved the old matoran alphabet and I hope this is indeed an actual language and not just random symbols considering how they want to "simplify" things. 

[The Meta Knight]

I'm REALLY hoping there's a written language in gen 2. The alphabet in gen 1 was like the best hing ever. 

[Jonathan Crane]

Am I the only one who noticed these symbols at the base of the Avohkii totem in MoL

[Makuta Luroka]

Am I the only one who noticed these symbols at the base of the Avohkii totem in MoL

...Pics or it didn't happen

[IcarusBen]

You know what, if there ever is a Gen1/Gen2 crossover, I want to see a sort of Rosetta Stone for the new script and the Matoran script, and perhaps Latin script.

[Jonathan Crane]

 

Am I the only one who noticed these symbols at the base of the Avohkii totem in MoL

...Pics or it didn't happen

 

http://biosector01.com/wiki/images/3/3f/Avohkii_Case.PNG many of the symbols on the base are very similar

[Makuta Luroka]

 

 

Am I the only one who noticed these symbols at the base of the Avohkii totem in MoL

...Pics or it didn't happen

 

http://biosector01.com/wiki/images/3/3f/Avohkii_Case.PNG many of the symbols on the base are very similar

I suppose they are. Very interesting. (LEGO planned this 12 years in advance)

[Toa Xenronn]

And thus, the mask of creation did read" "Buy More Lego"

[Makuta Luroka]

And thus, the mask of creation did read" "Buy More Lego"

"Be sure to drink your Ovaltine"

[Jobber]

I wonder if Lego's gonna put out a 'guide' like they did in the classic days, showcasing all the cultures and the language of Okoto.

[TamarUp]

There are similar symbols in the old concept art of LoMN:

http://biomediaproject.com/bmp/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/eric3.jpg

http://biomediaproject.com/bmp/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/eric4.jpg

[Akavakaku]

The Bionicle app contains some new letter-sequences!

[Jonathan Crane]

There are similar symbols in the old concept art of LoMN:

http://biomediaproject.com/bmp/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/eric3.jpg

http://biomediaproject.com/bmp/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/eric4.jpg

why is there a temple of Makuta on Metru Nui?

[Makuta Luroka]

 

There are similar symbols in the old concept art of LoMN:

http://biomediaproject.com/bmp/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/eric3.jpg

http://biomediaproject.com/bmp/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/eric4.jpg

why is there a temple of Makuta on Metru Nui?

If you read the title block it says "entrance to Makuta's prison" that is the prison he locked three of the toa in in LoMN

[Jobber]

I don't know what to think.





-Mr. Swag

[man774]

What if the way the symbols are written is like korean? By that I mean a bunch of small symbols combined together in syllabal blocks to make bigger symbols. That could give more freedom in the interpretation of this alphabet. (Instead of red orange light green representing a word, each represents one word). For example,, the orange one could be a combination of two horizontal lines and one vertical line. The dark green could be a horizontal, a vertical, and a square.

 

Seeing as how the new bionicle takes alot of inspiration from the mayans, this idea makes sense. According to wikipedia, the ancient mayans used syllable blocks of hieroglyphics. 

 

What do you guys think?