Hylian Language Translations

There are three lettering systems of Hylia, possibly representative of three separate languages.

The first alphabet, introduced in Ocarina of Time and used as well in Majora's Mask, is very primitive. Many sounds do not exist. The choice of letters is based on the basic Japanese alphabet.

The second alphabet, introduced in The Wind Waker and also used in The Minish Cap, Four Swords Adventures, Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks is based on the complete Japanese alphabet.

These languages, like Japanese, use one character for a vowel or consonant+vowel sound. Hylian words translate directly into Japanese words.

The third system, introduced in Twilight Princess, is Latin-based and the words translate directly into English.

= Hylian Text in Games =
 * = Confirmation required

Common Text

 * マクヒリめつせ "Makuhiri Metsuse" (Makuhari Messe)

Written on arrow-shaped signs found in Hyrule.


 * ニンテントウ "Nintentou" (Nintendo)

Written on signs found all across Hyrule. The text is mirror side to side and top to bottom.


 * テクたね "Teku Tane" (Deku Seed)

Written on the three Bullet Bags. The character "ku" is rotated 180 degrees from its normal orientation. This is most likely a simple error, as the official art of the Bullet Bag depicts it with a correctly oriented "ku".

Graveyard

 * ウエルカム　カカリコ　レイン "Uerukamu Kakariko Rein" (Welcome Kakariko Rain)

This is written on the archway above the graveyard. The same text, mirrored, is written on the sign below it.


 * あいうえおかきくけこさしすせそ (a i u e o ka ki ku ke ko sa shi su se so )
 * まみむめもやゆよらりるれろわを (ma mi mu me mo ya yu yo ra ri ru re ro wa wo)

In the Royal Family's Tomb, the first three and last four basic syllable groups of the Old Hylian syllabary are engraved on stone slates, as well as on doors. This ordering is based on the Japanese 50 sound table ordering of Japanese dictionaries. The three missing syllable groups can be found inscribed on the alter of the Temple of Time.

The writing on the gravestones is difficult to make out and appears to be nonsensical.

Kakariko Village

 * カカリコむら "Kakariko Mura" (Kakariko Village)

This banner greets visitors to Kakariko, announcing the name of the village.

Lon Lon Ranch

 * ロンロンほくしよ (Ron Ron Hokushiyo [from ぼくじょう "Bokujyou"]), Lon Lon Ranch

This text appears both on the banner entering the ranch and on the entrance to the horse pen.


 * やとや (Yatoya [from やどや "Yadoya"]) Inn

This text appears above the door to the house at the ranch.


 * ロンロン (Ron Ron) Lon Lon

This text appears on the milk crates found within the stable at the back of the ranch as well as nearby the sleeping Talon at Hyrule Castle.


 * ロン (Ron) Lon

This appears on Malon's dress in blue letters.


 * ロンロン ミルク (Ron Ron miruku) Lon Lon milk

This text appears on the label of all bottles of milk.

Forest Temple

 * トライフオウス ("Toraifuousu", Triforce)

This is written on the floor surrounding the Triforce decal in Phantom Ganon's boss room.

Hyrule Castle Town

 * たちつてとなにぬねのはひふへほ (ta chi tsu te to na ni nu ne no ha hi fu he ho)

This is inscribed on the the alter of the Temple of Time. it is part of the japanese 50 sound table not present in the tomb inscriptions.


 * ホリンクホムチウ (horinkuhomuchiu from [ボムチュウボーリング] bomuchuu bouringu) Bombchu bowling

This is written on the Neon Sign in the Bombchu bowling alley.


 * リチンリン (richinrin) ???

Written on the juke box in the bombchu Bowling Alley.

Majora's Mask
Most of the text in Majora's Mask appears to be nonsensical random symbols, with many of the shop signs being mirror images of the symbols. Those that aren't mirror imaged are either random sequences of symbols that don't translate into anything, or graphic elements; e.g. the square signs and the Romani Ranch sign; being borrowed directly from Ocarina of Time Without any change.

Common
Red text: 注意 "Chuui" (Caution) Black Text: 近づいて もっと よく 見て ください "Chikaduite Motto Yoku Mite Kudasai" (Please come closer and take a better look.) Blue Text: Unreadable
 * Signpost