The language of the Nowhere (unofficial title) is a language that was formally introduced in Little Nightmares II. While the writings seem to be inspired by East Asian symbols, they do not translate to any language. Despite looking like gibberish, the symbols are often re-used and arranged differently to express ideas and concepts. The language appears written on advertisements, posters, newspapers, signs, and numerous consumable products such as store packages and bottles.
Objects Showcasing the Symbols
Advertisements
Some of the language can be seen and heard on advertisements via posters and advertisements on televisions. These advertisements are plastered on walls and left on the streets. They could have served as a way to drive the residents of the Pale City to keep buying TVs and obeying the Signal Tower.
Bus-stop sign
Near the beginning of The Pale City chapter, a bus-stop sign can be seen next to a bench. The bus-stop sign seems to be based on Japanese bus-stop signs with blue and white color schemes. The bus-stop sign proves the existence of functioning buses in the Pale City, despite no vehicles seen throughout Mono and Six's journey.
Billboards
There are concept arts for billboards in the art book of Little Nightmares II. They, however, are not present in the game.
Bottles
On bottles found in apartments and stores, multiple logos are present on them. The logos seem to be similar to the cut store signs found in the concept art.
Brochure
This particular brochure can be found in an apartment where a Glitching Remain is located, coming out of the door's slot itself.
Cereal packages
These packages are seen stocked on shelves in the shops of the city. They have different labels and covers, which indicate the variety of flavors. The cereal seems to pander to different people, one of them being presumbaly children.
Flour packages
Similar to the cereals, they're also stocked in the shelves of stores. The flour packages aren't as polished as the cereal packages, but are still comprehensible. Not all of them appear to be actual flour packages though, as one of them seems to contain popcorn crenels for making popcorn.
Hanging aisle signs
Hanging aisle signs appear in stores, used to label the different aisles established.
Letters logo
There are letters in the Nowhere. In the files of the game, there is a logo of a postal company for shipping and sending out packages and letters.
Missing child poster
There is a missing poster for a child in the Pale City. This ties with the cereal being advertised to children. In the missing poster, a lot of symbols are seen clearly and closer together. At the bottom left of the missing poster a police badge is present, suggesting the existence of a law enforcement in the city.
Music box
On Six's music box, some symbols are painted under a symbol of an eye.
Newspapers
There are newspapers scattered around the Maw and the Pale City. The newspapers show the world in a different way that has never been seen before. It shows the news of what's been happening in the Nowhere. Multiple images are attached onto the newspapers, with some showcasing the symbols.
Rectangular sign
In the files, there is a sign labeled "Sign_Rectangle." This sign in particular showcases the symbols. It can be seen in the School, on the door next to a sleeping quarter across the hall.
Package labels
There are packages around the Pale City that contains TVs and other objects. On the packages are labels or stickers, maybe even stamps, to ship the packages to stores or apartments. The labels on the packages show some of the symbols.
Tin cans
Tin cans are also sold in the city stores, being stocked on shelves like many other products. Symbols are also present on the labels.
Cut store signs
These are cut store signs with the same symbols used in the game.
Steam Badges
Badges earned by collecting all the Little Nightmares II trading cards on Steam. Each level displays a different symbol not seen anywhere else in the games or concept art.
Trivia
- Despite the existence of this language, the English language isn't entirely absent from the Nowhere, as proven by a magazine seen in Very Little Nightmares.
- Several characters in the games speak incomprehensible English.
- As proven in the 2017 comic series and The Sounds of Nightmares, the Residents are also able to speak clear English.
- Several characters in the games speak incomprehensible English.
References