In this first session, we will start with the five Shavian characters representing the most commonly used sounds in the language:

• 𐑦-('if')
• 𐑩-('ado')
• 𐑯-('nun')
• 𐑑-('tot')
• 𐑕-('so')

The first Shavian character we'll look at is 𐑦, named "if." When you say "if," focus on the first sound and ignore the "f" at the end. This is the sound that 𐑦-(if) represents. This character looks similar to the Latin letter "i," but it’s one of only two characters with that similarity.

Next, 𐑩-('ado') represents a common English sound like the "a" in "about." Say "A-do" and "A-bout" aloud, emphasizing the sound. Notice the similarity? That’s the sound of 𐑩-('ado')!

The character 𐑯, named "nun," looks like its sound, "n," starting strong and then fading. This design helps you remember how it's pronounced. Remember this the next time you say, 'Nine noisy narwhals nap near nests.'"

Congratulations! You're ready to start reading your first Shavian words. Each new character you learn will be accompanied by several Shavian words that use it. Sound out the characters and then check the English transcription below. If you make a mistake, don't worry—the goal is to match the sounds to the characters. After revealing the English word, go back and identify the corresponding English sound for each character.

Continuing with Shavian characters, let's look at 𐑑, known as '(t)ot.' This character represents the sharp /t/ sound you hear in "tap." It part of a category called "tall" letters in Shavian, meaning the sound is produced entirely in the mouth without any vibration from the vocal cords.

Try this: make the /t/ sound while touching your throat; you won't feel any movement. Now try making the /v/ sound, as in "vow," notice that this causes your throat to vibrate. This type of sound is what is called a "deep" character, which we will discuss in lesson 3.

The last character in this lesson is 𐑕-('so'), simply referred to as "so." The 𐑕-('so') character is pronounced with an unvoiced /s/, meaning there is no vibration in the vocal cords. Try saying just the 's' in "so," and you’ll notice there is no vibration in your throat.

Many people incorrectly assume that the Shavian character 𐑕-('so'), resembling the Latin 's', applies universally for pluralizing words. However, this is not the case. Words like "cats" that end with the voiceless consonant "t" do indeed use 𐑕-('so') for their plural form. However, words ending in a voiced consonant like the "g" in "dogs" require the use of 𐑟-('zoo') to correctly form their plurals. This distinction is crucial for accurately reflecting pronunciation in the Shavian script.

You've already learned your first five characters, but you'll need a few more lessons before you can read full sentences. However, at the end of each lesson, I'll give you a sentence or two that mixes English characters with the Shavian characters you've learned. This approach will help you understand how the character sounds fit into larger and more complex words. It will also show you your progress: with each lesson, you'll see more Shavian characters and less English, until eventually, there are no English characters left.

In the following quote, notice that 𐑩-('ado') doesn't always replace the letter 'a.' Some 'a's are replaced with 𐑩-('ado'), while others aren't because they represent different 'a' sounds.

Congratulations! You’ve completed your first lesson. Let’s recap what you’ve learned:

You've mastered your first 5 characters of the Shavian alphabet:

• 𐑦-('if')
• 𐑩-('ado')
• 𐑯-('nun')
• 𐑑-('tot')
• 𐑕-('so')

You’ve had your first experience reading words using these characters and are ready try some exercises.