BC Files Runic

Philology Research Update - Runic Analysis

Despite variable production yields over the past ten years, this report will serve as a summary of progress to date and cover all current theories about runic phenomena. The goals of this department are to recognize emerging patterns and develop hypotheses for their meaning.

Figure 1 - 'ya'

Figure 2 - 'etz'

Figure 3 - 'at'

Based on sketchwork produced by Bethlehem Conservatory students, we have discovered many consistent patterns reproduced in this document. Earlier research was problematic after failed attempts to place these runes against an alphanumeric system. Similar difficulties emerged based on a symbolic language structure, as subjects rarely associated individual meaning to the runes themselves.

Figure 4 - 'ha'

Figure 5 - 're'

Figure 6 - 'ba'

Figure 7 - 'na'

Major breakthroughs emerged when the symbols were understood as discrete phonemes. Although there does seem to be some residual symbolism attached to each rune, our most developed candidate (see reference material regarding BCID SC1-6316) is beginning to construct the runes into multi-symbol words even before graduation. Significant leaps in research were made after this discovery and prolonged exposure to SC1-6316 allowed us a robust dataset. Still, this phonemebased language structure will require much further study to uncover the entire alphabet. There may also be additional phonemes above and beyond those in historical languages, since the pharyngeal structure is not yet completely understood.

Figure 8 - 'li' '

Figure 9 - 'pa' '

Figure 10 - 'yu' '

Figure 11 - 'al' '

Figure 12 - 'ta' '

Orientation seems to allow for many of the variations. Horizontally or vertically reflected symbols have distinctly different sounds associated with them and a ninety degree rotation also denotes a new symbol entirely. This orientation issue has been the most challenging one when dealing with such young subjects. Their tendency to rotate their work constantly and focus production on such unlikely surfaces makes a consistent baseline impossible. Finally, a future goal of the Philology Department is to explore the historical legacy of this language. Some of the more complex symbols seem to have created as combinations of lesser symbols and assigned a new signifier. This pattern suggests that this language may have evolved over time which contradicts the existing theories. Further research will be recommended in this field as its ramifications may be significant to the overall goals of the project.

Figure 13 - 'ken'

Figure 14 - 'va'

Figure 15 - 'hem'

Figure 16 - 'mim'

Figure 17 - 'ar'

Bethlehem Conservatory Philology Research Department
Update Report on Runic Analysis – September 6, 2006