Creating a Number System for a Conlang: Exploring Base-12 and Base-16

⭐Choosing the base for a number system depends on factors like its practicality, the number of unique symbols required, and the ease of performing basic arithmetic calculations.

🔢Base-12 is chosen as the number base for the Oa language due to its elegance and practicality, using 12 unique symbols and a subbase structure.

💡Base-16, also known as hexadecimal or hex, is discussed for its usefulness in computer science and its ability to simplify binary calculations through its representation of four bits or half a byte.

🎨Unique glyphs are designed for each digit in the Oa number system, with a focus on organic and symmetrical forms.

🗣️Four sets of number words are created for disjunctive, inanimate conjunctive, animate conjunctive, and ordinal numbers in the Oa language, drawing inspiration from Irish and Japanese counting systems.

Why is the choice of base important in creating a number system?

—The choice of base determines the number of unique symbols required, the ease of performing arithmetic calculations, and the overall practicality of the number system.

Why is base-12 chosen for the Oa number system?

—Base-12 is chosen for the Oa number system due to its elegance, practicality, and the availability of 12 unique symbols. It also incorporates a subbase structure, making it more versatile.

What is base-16 and why is it significant?

—Base-16, also known as hexadecimal or hex, is a number system that uses 16 unique symbols. It is significant in computer science for its ability to represent binary numbers more compactly and simplify calculations.

How are the glyphs for each digit in the Oa number system designed?

—The glyphs for each digit in the Oa number system are designed with a focus on organic and symmetrical forms, creating visually appealing and easily recognizable symbols.

What sets of number words are used in the Oa language?

—The Oa language uses four sets of number words: disjunctive numbers, inanimate conjunctive numbers, animate conjunctive numbers, and ordinals. Each set is used to count different types of objects or entities.

00:00Introduction and overview of the video content, exploring the creation of a number system for the conlang Oa.

01:38Discussion on the concept of base and its significance in number systems, mentioning base-10, base-2, base-3, and base-7.

02:40Introduction of base-12 as the chosen base for the Oa number system, highlighting its practicality and suitability for humans.

03:52Explanation of base-16 (hexadecimal) and its significance in simplifying binary calculations through compact representation.

04:39Designing unique glyphs for each digit in the Oa number system, focusing on organic and symmetrical forms.

06:08Introduction of four sets of number words for disjunctive, inanimate conjunctive, animate conjunctive, and ordinal numbers in the Oa language.

10:10Explanation of the expansion of the Oa number system beyond 16, incorporating teen analogues and multiple of 16 patterns.

11:17Acknowledgments to Conlang Critic and Patreon supporters, concluding remarks, and sign-off.