Kerch language

Kerch is the language commonly used by the inhabitants of Kerch.

Known words

A ★ indicates the Kerch word comes directly (unchanged) from Dutch.

Kerch word	English translation	Possible language inspiration
ja	yes	★
enjent	industry
voorhent	integrity
almhent	prosperity	alms (English)
stadwatch	city watch	stadswacht (Dutch)
stadglokt	city watch/stadwatch	original Kerch stadwatch, stadswacht (Dutch)
gondel(s)	gondola(s)	★
onkle	uncle	onkel (German), nonkel (Flemish Dutch)
tante	aunt	★
ridderspel	(a gambling arcade game)	"the knight's game"
spijker	(a gambling arcade game)	★ "nail"
hutspot	(a type of Kerch cooking)	★ A traditional Dutch dish made from potatoes mashed with carrots and onions, usually served with a sausage and meatball. Variation of stamppot.
goed	good	★
morgen	morning	★
fentomen	ghosts or survivors	fantomen
vaarwel	farewell, goodbye	★
jer ven	you are	je bent
azel	(an) ass	ezel, "donkey"
kruge	(Kerch currency)	kroech, "crook" (Middle Dutch)
med	maiden	meid
Goedmedbridge	"Good Maiden's Bridge" (a bridge in Ketterdam)
wuftsalts	smelling salts	wuft (Dutch synonym for Luchtig, Licht - eng: Airy, Light) + salt (English)

Script

The Kerch writing system is an abugida with characters that fit together fairly closely. This means that vowels are attached to consonants to form letters, which are then used to form words.

Letters

Numbers

Influences

The vocabulary of Kerch in the books is heavily influenced by Dutch.

David J. Peterson created the writing system for Kerch used in Netflix's Shadow and Bone, but there is no Kerch language in the show itself, though an alternative Kerch translation of the Dutch "stadswacht" was provided by Peterson .

Gallery

TV

Crow Club deed

Alphabet poster

Kerch books