What phonetic notation systems exist for non-human sounds?
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/25662741
I'm thinking about conlangs for creatures with different phonetic possibilities than humans, particularly birds with both syrinx and larynx. Does anything like the IPA already exist for these sounds?
3 replies
I don't know of anything like the IPA, but has anyone recommended this?
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Xgwh0hvPjOFcGgxlPOBUhLXIFes_petgGzv7Hp5blE4
Obviously the descriptions don't indicate exact sounds, but the papers might.
It's also possible you know more about this topic than I do. In that case, I'd like to know more. Thank you for asking this question.
I was not aware of that document. It seems like a great list of resources for people interested in exolangs. Thanks.
I probably don't know more about this topic than you, unfortunately. So far u/early_[email protected]'s Commonthroat has been almost my only point of reference for this sort of thing. I think making a language out of this is easier once you have a consistent phonetic notation system (not necessarily the same as your conlang's orthography), so making up symbols for use with descriptions or recordings seems like a good starting point for an exolang. I personally like to keep my notation similar to the IPA, so i can use both together when one sound is close enough to a human sound to share an existing IPA letter.
This is some fascinating stuff. Thanks for the tips and the read.