Pokemon Unown Alphabet Translation: The mysterious Pokemon known as Unown have puzzled Pokemon fans ever since they first appeared in the Gold and Silver games. Unlike regular Pokemon, Unown takes the form of ancient letters and symbols, each representing a different letter of the alphabet. When decoded, Unown can reveal hidden messages in ancient ruins and caves. For Pokemon trainers eager to translate the secrets of these cryptic creatures, this guide will provide a complete walkthrough of the Unown alphabet and its hidden meanings.
An Introduction to Unown
Unown are a unique species of Pokemon shaped like ancient writing. They resemble letters from real-world alphabets including Latin, Greek, Cyrillic, and more. In the Pokemon world, archeologists believe Unown may predate modern languages. The symbols on each Unown are said to have mystic powers related to their meanings.
In Pokemon Gold and Silver, ruins filled with Unown contain messages players can decode. Solving the puzzle reveals legendary Pokemon like Entei. Later games also use Unown as clues and keys to unlocking secrets. Their connection to mystic words gives Unown an air of mystery.
Unlike regular Pokemon, Unown does not evolve or learn new moves. Each of the 28 forms of Unown has hidden power as its only attack. Despite their limited abilities, these mysterious Pokemon fascinate trainers who want to learn their secrets.
How To Read Unown Letters
Unown comes in 28 different forms, each one shaped like a letter from one of several real or fictional alphabets. The most common Unown script used in the games resembles the Latin alphabet, with some additions. Here are tips for reading Unown letters:
- Recognize the shape to identify the letter. Unown are stylized but their forms match readable alphabets.
- Capital and lowercase letters have different Unown. For example, Unown A and A are distinct forms.
- Note rotations and flips. Some Unown may be horizontal, reversed, or upside down. Rotate them mentally to read the letter.
- A few Unown are unique symbols. These include !?, and a dotted form that may represent a full stop.
- Remember the orientation. English Unown should be read left to right. Other alphabets read right to left or vertically.
With practice, deciphering Unown letters becomes second nature. Knowing the alphabet helps translate the secret messages they are used to spell out.
The Complete Unown Alphabet
Here is a guide to all 28 forms of Unown and their corresponding letters or symbols in the Latin alphabet:
- Unown A – The uppercase A form. Resembles an upside-down V.
- Unown B – The uppercase B form. Looks like a chunky, hollow vertical rectangle with a filled-in lower left side.
- Unown C – The uppercase C form. Semicircle shape open on the right side.
- Unown D – The uppercase D form. Round shape with a straight vertical line.
- Unown E – The uppercase E form. backward 3 shapes with three horizontal lines.
- Unown F – The uppercase F form. E shape with the upper right side missing.
- Unown G – The uppercase G form. A spiral shape opens on the right side.
- Unown H – The uppercase H form. Two vertical lines are connected by a horizontal line.
- Unown I – The uppercase I form. Single straight vertical line.
- Unown J – The uppercase J form. Semicircle shape open at the bottom.
- Unown K – The uppercase K form. Angled lines meeting at one point.
- Unown L – The uppercase L form. One vertical line with a small line jutting right.
- Unown M – The uppercase M form. Two vertical lines with a V shape between them.
- Unown N – The uppercase N form. Two diagonal lines meet in the middle.
- Unown O – The uppercase O form. Circle shape.
- Unown P – The uppercase P form. Semicircle shape open on the left side.
- Unown Q – The uppercase Q form. O shape with a short tail descending below.
- Unown R – The uppercase R form. Resembles an awkward P.
- Unown S – The uppercase S form. Zigzag or wavy line shape.
- Unown T – The uppercase T form. Vertical line with a shorter horizontal line.
- Unown U – The uppercase U form. A semicircle or horseshoe shape open at the bottom.
- Unown V – The uppercase V form. Two diagonal lines meet at a point.
- Unown W – The uppercase W form. Upside down M shape.
- Unown X – The uppercase X form. Two diagonal crossing lines.
- Unown Y – The uppercase Y form. V shape with a tail descending below.
- Unown Z – The uppercase Z form. Zigzag shape.
- Unown! – Exclamation point symbol.
- Unown? – Question mark symbol.
- Unown Dotted – Period or full stop symbol. Resembles a tiny circle.
This alphabet encompasses the 26 standard letters A to Z, plus two punctuation marks. Knowing the Unown forms allows translation of their messages.
Other Unown Alphabets
While the Latin script Unown is the default in most Pokemon games, some titles feature Unown based on other writing systems:
- Greek Unown – Includes 24 letters from the Greek alphabet such as Alpha, Omega, and Pi.
- Cyrillic Unown – Uses letters from the Russian Cyrillic script including Ya, Ve, and Sha.
- Braille Unown – Shaped like Braille blocks rather than letters. Appeared in a spinoff game.
- Fictional Unown – Unique new shapes and symbols invented for the Pokemon world.
The decoding process remains the same regardless of the alphabet. Recognizing the Unown’s shape reveals what symbol or letter it represents. With practice, even obscure Unown scripts can be translated.
How To Translate Unown Messages
In Pokemon games, Unown is often arranged to spell out hidden words and phrases. Here is how to go about deciphering their messages:
- Note the direction Unown is facing. In English, read left to right. For other alphabets, determine text direction.
- Identify each Unown’s letter based on its form. Consider orientation and case.
- Write down the sequence of letters spelled by the Unown. Take care with the order.
- Review the message for clarity. Account for punctuation marks dividing sentences or phrases.
- Check for errors caused by similarly shaped Unown. Ambiguous letters like l, I, or 1 may be mixed up.
- If needed, rearrange scrambled sections. Messages may be split into chunks or scrambled.
- Interpret the meaning of the decoded text. Unown reveals game hints, passwords, riddles, and ancient lore.
With the alphabet as a guide, persistent trainers can unravel even elaborate Unown ciphers. The secrets locked away for centuries finally become legible.
Unown Translation Examples
To demonstrate Unown code-cracking in action, here are examples of deciphering messages in major Pokemon games:
Pokemon Gold & Silver
In the Ruins of Alph, Unown spells out this cryptic phrase:
Copy code
HOENNFRIEND
MEETHEREAT
NIGHTEIGHTPM
By matching each Unown to its corresponding letter, the message becomes:
Copy code
HOENNFRIEND
MEETHEREAT
NIGHTEIGHTPM
It is revealed as instructions to meet someone in Hoenn at 8 p.m.
Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire
A stone tablet in Granite Cave displays this sequence of Unown:
Copy code
ESCAPEFROM
THEANCIENT
TOMB
Which decodes to:
Copy code
ESCAPEFROM
THEANCIENT
TOMB
The warning urges travelers to flee the tomb before getting trapped.
Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen
Unown arranged in patterns on Five Isle chart a course through the islands:
Copy code
FIVEISLE
THREEISLE
ONEISLE
After deciphering the Unown, the map becomes:
Copy code
FIVEISLE
THREEISLE
ONEISLE
This guides the player from Five Isles to One Isles through the maze of islands.
Pokemon Diamond & Pearl
Sinnoh’s Solaceon Ruins contain Unown forming this cryptic poem:
Copy code
INTHISCAVERN
WESLACKOFF
BRINGINGABOUT
ANODDPOWER
With the Unown translated, it reads:
Copy code
INTHISCAVERN
WESLACKOFF
BRINGINGABOUT
ANODDPOWER
The text references the cave-enhancing Pokemon’s unique abilities.
Unown Code Cracking Tips
Deciphering the enigmatic messages of Unown can be challenging. Here are some tips for making sense of their cryptic codes:
- Work systematically letter by letter instead of jumping around.
- Double check unclear letters like I, l, and 1 that have similar Unown forms.
- Rearrange scrambled sections into logical order if the message seems jumbled.
- Try viewing the text from different directions if it seems garbled.
- Look for patterns like repeated words or letters that provide clues.
- Consider the context. Messages reveal game secrets to fit that theme.
- Break long messages into shorter words and phrases. Add mental punctuation.
- If completely stuck, search online. Other fans may have already decoded it.
- When in doubt, keep trying. These puzzles have solutions if you stay persistent.
With logic and perseverance, the mysterious letters of Unown will unravel to reveal their hidden truths. Just don’t slack off!
Frequently Asked Questions about Unown Pokemon
Here are some common questions players have about translating the puzzling text of Unown:
How many different Unown symbols are there?
There are 28 different Unown forms including the 26 Latin letters A to Z plus! and ? punctuation marks. Some games also introduce Unown based on other alphabets.
Do upper and lower case Unown look different?
Yes, uppercase and lowercase letters have distinct Unown forms. An Unown A looks different than an a. Be aware of the case when decoding.
Can Unown be upside down, sideways, or reversed?
Unown can face all different orientations. Mentally rotate them to read the letter they represent. Their position adds challenge.
What is the dot Unown? and dashed Unown – symbols?
The dot Unown likely represents a period or full stop. The dashed Unown has no clear meaning but may serve as a spacer.
How do I know what order to read Unown in?
For English, go left to right. Other languages read right to left or vertically. Check the text direction before starting.
What if some Unown are scrambled or out of order?
Try rearranging sections into a logical sequence. Messages may be scrambled as an extra puzzle.
How can I tell apart tricky letters like l, I, and 1?
Look closely for details to distinguish similar shapes. The context of nearby letters can also provide clues.
Why do the Unown messages hide game hints and lore?
Unown’s connection to old languages fits the legends and ruins where they reside. Their codes match the mystical themes.
What happens when I solve an Unown puzzle?
Deciphering Unown often opens new areas, reveals rare Pokemon, awards treasures, or advances the story. Their words have power!
Conclusion
For explorers seeking lost knowledge, decoding the symbols of Unown provides a tantalizing puzzle. Each letter brings Pokemon trainers one step closer to unraveling cryptic messages filled with ancient secrets. With perseverance and the alphabet as a guide, the veils of history fall away.
The unique appeal of Unown comes from the thrill of translation. There is something profoundly satisfying about deciphering their intricate conundrums. For linguists and code crackers alike, few Pokemon mysteries prove as engaging. After solving an unknown riddle, players are left with a sense of real achievement along with prizes to show for their efforts.
While mainline Pokemon games have moved away from using Unown as hidden keys, fans still remember translating their esoteric texts fondly. And who knows, the franchise may one day revisit its Unown roots. Until then, trainers can still puzzle over past Unown codes, or create their secret messages to share online. For those who love cracking cryptograms, the appeal of these puzzle Pokemon endures.

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