The chicken language is a secret language or a spoken language. Playing languages are variations of an existing language, so they can be learned very easily, but they are often incomprehensible with a practiced speaker and often sound like gibberish for outsiders. The chicken language is based on the exchange of the vowels (a, e, i, o, u) of a word by a fixed abbreviation, the consonants remain unaffected. The language thus resembles the spoon language. (→ online translator for chicken language).
It is not clear where the term comes from. It is conceivable that the word originated from a derogatory term for pattering. Chicken and cock are to be regarded here as joking terms for women and men, whereby the play language is to be understood as the language of ebendieser chickens, thus women. However, the presumption is highly speculative and thus not secured. Let’s look at an example for a better understanding of the game language:
The chicken language with an example – here the vowels are replaced
The diagram above illustrates the principle of play language. In doing so, the vowels of the sentence that is exciting are replaced by certain abbreviations. In this case, the letter h is inserted after a vowel, then the vowel is followed again, the syllable def is inserted, and the vowel is again used. An a is thus transformed into a – h – a – def – a, an e to e – h – e – def – e, etc.
How to Learn: Chicken Language
Basically, it is not difficult to learn the language of the game. However, it is really incomprehensible only in speakers who master it fluently. It is also sometimes difficult for initiates to understand the fluent speech, since sometimes the individual word boundaries are abolished.
Basically, the language is based on the exchange of vowels. The scheme is [vowel] + h + [vowel] + def + [vowel]. This principle also applies to umlauts (ä, ö, ü), where diphthongs are treated differently. Either they are separated, so au becomes a + u or they are transferred to the above pattern instead of the vowels. Auto would then be Au-h-au-def-au-o-h-o-def-o.
Spoken is the chicken syllable for syllable. This also facilitates the mental transformation of the individual elements. Practiced speakers can, of course, connect the individual syllables rapidly, whereby, in questionable cases, their own language is crucial. For example, the car, which is called Auhaudefauohodefo in the chicken language, is thus pronounced: Au | hau | de | fau | o | ho | de | fo.
Short overview: The most important to the game language at a glance
The Huenersprache is a play or a secret language, which is particularly popular with children. It is based on the replacement of vowels, umlauts and diphthongs by means of a fixed alphabetical letter, and is usually incomprehensible for outsiders.
Since such play languages are dominated mainly by the schoolyard and are not controlled standard languages, they are not subject to any clear rules. Thus, there are variations or blends with other game languages that work similarly.
We also offer an online translation tool for the language of the game. This translator for chicken language makes it possible to create own sample sentences quickly.
Note: In addition to the chicken language, other languages are also common. The spoon language or the robbery language from the children’s book “Kalle Blomquist” by the Swedish writer Astrid Lindgren (1907-2002) is known.
