The Lozark Runes

The Lozark Runes are a select set of Elder Futhark, Anglo-Saxon, Younger Futhark, and Medieval runes tailored to represent the English language phonetically and orthographically.

Orthographic Use

Lozark Runes can be used as a simple substitute for the Latin alphabet.  With this method, words are written using traditional spelling, with a vew variations as noted below.

A
, ,
B
C
CH
D
E
F
G
H
I
, ,
J
K
L
M
N
NG
O
P
Q
R
S
SH
T
TH
,
U
, ,
V
W
X
Y
Z
ZH

Where letter combinations CH, NG, SH, TH, and ZH occur, the symbols , , , or , and may be used respectively.

There are four cases in which more than one rune may be used for a given letter or letter combination (A, I, TH, & U).  Choose one of the following methods:

  1. Simple Orthographic Mapping:  Use for A, I for I, for TH, and for U.
  2. Phonetic Hybrid Approach:
    • A: Use when the a is short, as in "at", "and", "after", "act".  Use when a is pronounced as in "late", "favor", or "same".  Otherwise, use .
    • I: Use when the i is short, as in "if", "it", or "into", and with "ng", as in "sing".  Use when i is pronounced as in "ice", "item", or "thrive". Otherwise, use .
    • TH: Use when the th is unvoiced, as in "think", "thin", "three". Use when the th is voiced, as in "the", "there", "thus".
    • U: Use when u is pronounced as in "cut", "under", or "such".  Use when u is prounounced as in "put" or "should".  Otherwise, use .

Phonetic Use

With this method, words are written according to how they sound, rather than how they are traditionally spelled.

Using this method, the runes are pronounced as follows:

Rune(s)
IPA
Examples
ɑ, ɔ
almond, autumn, often
æ
apple, after, and
e, eɪ
acorn, aim, eight, say
b
bear, beaver
k
cat, cause
church, cherry
d
deer, dog, dragon
ɛ
elk, echo, end
i
even, eagle, eel, pizza
f
fox, falcon, phoenix
g
gift, goat, gryphon
h
harp, hearth
ɪ
image, if, in
aisle, eye, ice, try
just, gentle
k
key, kind
l
life, love
m
man, month
n
night, nest
ŋ
ingot, song
o, oʊ
open, oath, own
p
pearl, pure
kw
quail, quiet
r
rain, rest
s
sun, ceiling
ʃ
shade, share
t
time, tree
θ
thorn, thunder
ð
this, there, then
u
to, moon, lute
ə, ʌ
other, up, the
ʊ
hook, put, should
v
valley, vine
w
water, wind
ks
axe, books
j
year, yes
z
zoo, zephyr
ʒ
azure, treasure, vision
ᚨᚢ
owl, out
ᛟᛁ
ɔɪ
oil, joy
ᚨᚱ
ɑr
are, arch
ᚪᚱ
ær
arrow, character
ᛖᚱ
ɛr
air, errand, spare
ᛁᚱ
ɪər
ear, here, iridescent
ᛇᚱ
ɜr
earth, fir, urgent
ᛟᚱ
ɔr
or, soar, war
ᚢᚱ
ʊr
moor, lure, tour

Note that the symbols and both represent the sound /k/ may be used in place of in words traditionally spelled with a c.  Where "ck" appear together, use , as in "clock": ᚲᛚᚨᚴ, or "quick": ᛩᛇᚴ.

Lozark Runes Font

You may download the font used on this page by clicking here.

This font lets you type Lozark Runes using your regular keyboard.  It also supports the unicode symbols used in the Lozark rune set.  Special key mappings are noted below:

A
a
E
c
C
e
I
i
Y
n
N
O
s
S
t
H
T
U
o
u
z
Z

Lozark runes may be used with either Arabic or Roman numerals.  To facilitate the use of Roman numerals, the following symbols are included in this font:

M
M
D
D
c
c
L
L
X
X
V
V
I
I

Sources and Unicode Values

All of the symbols in the Lozark Runes may be found in the Runic Unicode block.  The unicode value for each symbol is shown below, along with the source of the rune.

Rune
Unicode
Source
16A8
EF
16AA
AS
16AD
YF
16D2
EF
16B2
EF
16B3
AS
16DE
EF
16D6
EF
16A0
EF
16B7
EF
16BA
EF
16C1
EF
16C7
EF
16C6
YF
16C3
EF
16B4
YF
16DA
EF
16D7
EF
16BE
EF
16DD
AS
16DF
EF
16C8
EF
16E9
MED
16B1
EF
16CB
AS
16CA
EF
16CF
EF
16A6
EF
16A7
MED
16A2
EF
16A4
MED
16A5
MED
16A1
MED
16B9
EF
16EA
MED
16C4
AS
16C9
EF
16E3
AS

EF
Elder Futhark
23
runes
AS
Anglo-Saxon
6
runes
YF
Younger Futhark
3
runes
MED
Medieval
6
runes
 
Total
38
runes


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Comments

I've added 3 new runes to this set. E takes the place of eI; C takes the place of tS, and Y takes the place of AI.
Posted by Carolyn on Saturday, October 28, 2023
The pronunciation guide is given above under the section titled "Phonetic Use". The pronunciation is given in both the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), as well as sample English words. When using this system orthographically, you don't need to worry about pronunciation because you are just following the original spelling of the language you are using. Personally, I prefer using the runes phonetically.
Posted by Carolyn on Wednesday, April 12, 2023
It's interesting to see the development of writing systems and the adaptations made to fit specific languages. The use of runes as a substitute for the Latin alphabet is a unique approach. It would be helpful to have a guide on the pronunciation of each of these Lozark Runes to ensure accuracy in written communication.
Posted by george on Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Ah, Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm.  Nothing is too hard for You.
— Jeremiah 32:7