The Old Tongue
(Taken from ChatGPT, I was tired of working on this language. Too much work.)
The Old Tongue adheres to a rigid yet versatile grammatical structure. Predominantly adopting a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) order, sentences convey actions with clarity, emphasizing the object at the conclusion. Nouns exhibit inherent classifications, a precursor to Eltuven's refined noun categorization system. Adjectives and possessive markers precede the noun they modify, contributing to a descriptive precision retained in the subsequent languages. Verbs inflect for tense, echoing the temporal nuances preserved in Őntazra's auxiliary verb usage. Complex sentence constructions are facilitated by a system of subordinate clauses, a feature that persists through the linguistic evolution. Elaborate verbal conjugations parallel Őntazra's reliance on auxiliary verbs for expressing intricate temporal relationships. Conjunctive particles, present in the Old Tongue, lay the groundwork for Őntazra's advanced connective structures. While the Old Tongue’s syntax exhibits a certain archaic formalism, it sets the stage for the streamlined structures of Eltuven and Cin, where evolved noun classification, enhanced connectors, and simplified sentence constructions become defining elements. The Old Tongue, a linguistic cornerstone, unfolds a grammar that seamlessly integrates into the diverse syntaxes of its linguistic successors. In its evolution into Eltuven, the rigid SOV order of the Old Tongue gradually embraces greater flexibility through the introduction of case markings, paving the way for Eltuven's nuanced noun classification. The transition to Őntazra witnesses the refinement of complex sentence structures through the incorporation of auxiliary verbs and particles, establishing the groundwork for the connector-rich language. Cin, in its modern form, marks a departure from the archaic SOV structure, adopting a more modular Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order. The Old Tongue's legacy endures in Cin's intricate verb conjugations and the retained simplicity of sentence constructions. This linguistic evolution reflects a dynamic interplay between tradition and adaptation, ensuring the enduring influence of the Old Tongue on the expressive capacities of Eltuven, Őntazra, and Cin. The temporal nuances in the Old Tongue are intricately woven into its verb conjugations, creating a robust system that serves as the foundation for the temporal expressions in its linguistic descendants. The Old Tongue employs a rich array of verb inflections to convey various tenses. Present tense is depicted through the unmarked verb stem, ensuring a direct and immediate expression of actions. Past tense is indicated by suffixing specific morphemes to the verb stem, allowing for a concise representation of completed actions. Future tense unfolds through the attachment of distinct markers, projecting actions yet to transpire. Eltuven inherits this temporal depth but refines it by incorporating additional auxiliary verbs, introducing subtle distinctions in temporal relationships. The fusion of the Old Tongue's past tense morphology with Eltuven's auxiliary constructions contributes to the nuanced expression of historical events and sequential actions. Őntazra, in its linguistic evolution, further hones these temporal intricacies by integrating auxiliary verbs more seamlessly, allowing for a heightened precision in conveying subtle temporal nuances. Cin, while embracing the Old Tongue's temporal foundations, presents a departure in structure. It simplifies the temporal markers, favoring a more straightforward approach. Present tense relies on unmarked verbs, past tense involves clear suffixes, and future tense employs distinct markers. Cin's evolution from the Old Tongue reflects a gradual streamlining of temporal expressions, preserving the essence of the ancient language while adapting to the evolving communicative needs of its speakers. This intricate dance between the temporal complexities of the Old Tongue and the streamlined expressions in Eltuven, Őntazra, and Cin marks a linguistic journey that transcends time.Writing System
It’s written on the line going down. When you run out of space you move to the next line on the left. To tell where to start you write a diamond shape at the top, and when you are completed with it, you draw a triangle shape to show you are done. To show a space between words you add a dot. Often it will be carved on the side of a rock or tree. Capital letters are always at the start and end of a sentence. It marks the beginning and the end.
Phonology
Vowels
A, AA, О̄, Ő, W, E, Ae, I, Ea, Í
Consonants
Kh, Çh, LL, Sh, Ch, Tch, Tsh, Th, Dd, Ng, V, J, Y, R, S, Ss, Z, F, G, B, T, D, M, N, L, K
When a consonant is between two of the same vowels, it is elongated/pronounced longer.
Syntax
Word Order:
The Old Tongue follows a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) word order. This means that the subject of the sentence typically comes first, followed by the object, and then the verb.
Noun Phrases:
Nouns in the Old Tongue can be modified by adjectives or other elements to form noun phrases. Adjectives generally precede the noun they modify. For example:
"Çhō pō'ínōye Redan" (I eat a red apple)
"Te'őtitw pō'ínōye Vengaran" (He eats a big apple)
Verb Phrases:
Verbs in the Old Tongue can be conjugated to express tense, aspect, mood, and person. The verb generally appears at the end of the sentence. Here's an example of a verb phrase in the present tense:
"Çhō Sira" (I will go)
Questions:
To form a question in the Old Tongue, you can use intonation or add question words such as "who," "what," "where," "when," "why," or "how." The word order remains the same, with the subject preceding the object and verb. For example:
"E Çhō pō'ínōye Gepwtan?" (Do I eat an apple?)
"Te'őtitw Sira?" (Will he go?)
Negation:
To form negative sentences, you can add a negative particle such as "not" or "no" before the verb. For example:
"Çhō enō pō'ínōye Gepwdan" (I do not eat an apple)
"Te'őtitw enō Sira" (He will not go)
Vocabulary
Çhō - I,
Te'őtitw - He,
Enō - Do not,
E - Do/Should
Gepwdan - To eat,
Sira - To go,
Pō'ínōye - Apple,
Vengaran - Big,
Redan - Red,
Phonetics
Vowels
A - /æ/,
Aa - /ɑː/,
О̄ - /ɒɪ/,
Ő - /ø/,
W - /uː/,
E - /ɛ/,
Ae - /eɪ/,
I - /ɪ/,
Ea - /iːʌ/,
Í - /iː/,
Consonants
Kh: /x/,
Çh: /ɣ/,
LL: /ɬ/,
Sh: /ʃ/,
Ch: /tʃ/,
Tch: /tʃ/,
Tsh: /tʃ/,
Th: /θ/,
Dd: /ð/,
Ng: /ŋ/,
V: /v/,
J: /dʒ/,
Y: /j/,
R: /r/,
S: /s/,
Ss: /s/,
Z: /z/,
F: /f/,
G: /ɡ/,
B: /b/,
T: /t/,
D: /d/,
M: /m/,
N: /n/,
L: /l/,
K: /k/,
Tenses
Present tense: The action is happening in the present.
Past tense: The action has already occurred in the past.
Future tense: The action will happen in the future.
Continuative aspect: Describes an ongoing or continuous action.
Perfect aspect: Describes a completed action with relevance to the present.
Imperfect aspect: Describes an ongoing or repeated action in the past.
Subjunctive mood: Used to express doubt, possibility, or hypothetical situations.
Imperative mood: Used to give commands or make requests.
Comments