Thal'zakiri (thahl-ZAH-kee-ree)

Thal'zakiri is a tonal language with three primary tones: low, mid, and high, which change the meaning of words depending on the pitch. The tonal complexity gives the language a musical quality, with guttural consonants and aspirated sounds. Rolling R's and the occasional click sounds create a language that is both melodious and intimidating, emphasizing the pride of the Necain people.

Thal'zakiri employs an agglutinative structure, where words are formed by adding prefixes, suffixes, and infixes to a root. This allows the language to convey nuanced meaning through small changes in the structure of a word. Verbs and nouns can be extended with modifiers to change tense, aspect, or mood, allowing for an efficient yet expressive language.

Nouns

Noun Classes: Thal'zakiri has distinct noun classes, much like Bantu languages. These classes can denote gender, animate vs. inanimate objects, or abstract vs. physical entities. For example:

• Moru-: Used for male or warrior-related nouns (e.g., Moru'thahr meaning "warrior").
• Sha-: Used for female or spiritual nouns (e.g., Sha'kira meaning "spirit guide").

Plurality: Plurals are typically formed by adding a prefix. For instance, "Uta" (mountain) becomes "Ku'uta" (mountains).  

Verbs

Root Verbs: In Thal'zakiri, verbs are often placed at the beginning of a sentence, followed by the subject and object. They can take on multiple forms depending on tense and mood.

Example: 
• Shon- (to strike) becomes Shonara (will strike) or Shonori (has struck).

Tense & Aspect: The present, past, and future tenses are formed by attaching prefixes and suffixes to the verb stem.

• Ka' for future tense (e.g., Ka'shon = "will strike").
• Nu' for past tense (e.g., Nu'shon = "struck").

Verb Extensions: Verbs can be modified to express cause, intention, or conditionality:

• Shonira'kil: "Will strike with intent."

Modifiers

Modifiers are used in agglutinative form, added to either nouns or verbs. These modify the intensity, direction, or mood:

• Sah' (strong modifier): Sah'moru ("the mighty warrior").

Thal'zakiri follows a Verb-Subject-Object (VSO) sentence structure. However, it is flexible, and word order can change to emphasize certain elements of the sentence. Tone and word placement also affect meaning, especially in poetic or ritualistic speech.  

Sentence Structure

Verb-Subject-Object (VSO): The typical sentence structure is VSO, which places emphasis on the action before the actor and object.
Example: 

• Ka'shon Moru'thahr sha'utai. ("The warrior will strike the enemy.")

Subject Pronouns: The pronoun system in Thal'zakiri is also gender-neutral unless specifically referring to gendered titles. Pronouns are often incorporated into verbs, reducing the need for explicit pronoun use in short sentences.
Example: 

• Shonira could mean both "I will strike" or "He/She will strike," with the context providing clarity.

Word Order Flexibility

Thal'zakiri allows flexibility in word order for emphasis:   Emphasis on Subject: When the subject needs to be emphasized, the sentence can shift to Subject-Verb-Object (SVO). This is especially common in poetry and ritual speech. Example: 

• Moru'thahr Ka'shon sha'utai. ("The warrior will strike the enemy.")

Questions

Questions in Thal'zakiri are typically formed by placing an interrogative word at the beginning of the sentence or changing the tone of the final word.   Example: 

• Ka'shon Moru'thahr sha'utai? ("Will the warrior strike the enemy?")

Modifiers for Politeness

In more formal or ritualistic settings, Thal'zakiri uses verb modifiers to express politeness or reverence.   Example: 

• Sha'kira maran'echa. ("I humbly ask the spirit guide.")

Tone and Meaning

Tone plays a critical role in determining the intensity or emotion behind the statement. A neutral tone may denote calm or instruction, while a high tone may imply urgency or anger.

The phonetic system of Thal'zakiri is a unique blend of guttural, tonal, and nasalized sounds. Below is a phonetic breakdown of the language using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) to describe the common sounds in Thal'zakiri.

Consonants

Plosives

Thal'zakiri uses both voiced and voiceless plosives, including some glottalized forms for emphasis.

• {p}: /p/ as in "pat" – a voiceless bilabial stop, produced by bringing both lips together and releasing air. 
• {b}: /b/ as in "bat" – a voiced bilabial stop, where the vocal cords vibrate as air is released from both lips.
• {t}: /t/ as in "tap" – a voiceless alveolar stop, produced by placing the tongue against the alveolar ridge and releasing the air.
• {d}: /d/ as in "dog" – a voiced alveolar stop, similar to /t/, but with vocal cord vibration.
• {k}: /k/ as in "cat" – a voiceless velar stop, produced at the back of the mouth with the tongue against the velum.
• {ɡ}: /g/ as in "goat" – a voiced velar stop, produced in the same manner as /k/, but with vocal cord vibration.

Fricatives

A mix of soft and harsh fricatives adds complexity to the language.

• {f}: /f/ as in "fun" – a voiceless labiodental fricative, made by placing the top teeth against the bottom lip and forcing air through.
• {v}: /v/ as in "vine" – a voiced labiodental fricative, where the vocal cords vibrate as air is forced through the lips and teeth.
• {s}: /s/ as in "see" – a voiceless alveolar fricative, made by forcing air through the narrow opening between the tongue and alveolar ridge.
• {ʃ}: /sh/ as in "shoe" – a voiceless postalveolar fricative, where the tongue is positioned slightly further back, creating a "sh" sound.
• {x}: /kh/ as in "Bach" – a voiceless velar fricative, produced at the back of the mouth, similar to a "hiss" sound.
• {ħ}: /ḥ/ as in "ḥal" – a voiceless pharyngeal fricative, a deep, guttural sound from the back of the throat.

• {ʔ}: /ʔ/ as in the glottal stop in "uh-oh" – a sound produced by briefly closing the vocal cords.

Nasals

Nasal sounds are common in Thal'zakiri.

• {m}: /m/ as in "man" (bilabial nasal)
• {n}: /n/ as in "no" (alveolar nasal)
• {ŋ}: /ng/ as in "song" (velar nasal)

Liquids

Liquids in Thal'zakiri have a flowing quality, particularly the rolled R and lateral L.

• {l}: /l/ as in "love" – an alveolar lateral approximant, where air flows around the sides of the tongue. 
• {r}: /r/ as in "red" (rolled) – an alveolar trill, produced by vibrating the tongue against the alveolar ridge.
• {ɾ}: /r/ as in "pero" (flap) – an alveolar tap, produced by a brief contact between the tongue and the alveolar ridge

Vowels

Thal'zakiri has a simple yet varied vowel system, with both short and long vowels influencing tone and meaning.

Short Vowels

• {a}: /a/ as in "father" – an open front unrounded vowel, made with the tongue low and the mouth open.
• {e}: /e/ as in "bed" – a close-mid front unrounded vowel, made with the tongue in the middle of the mouth.
• {i}: /i/ as in "sit" – a close front unrounded vowel, with the tongue near the front of the mouth.
• {o}: /o/ as in "pot" – a close-mid back rounded vowel, with the lips rounded.
• {u}: /u/ as in "put" – a close back rounded vowel, with the tongue raised toward the back of the mouth.

Long Vowels

Long vowels are denoted by doubling the vowel sound and are often used to indicate emphasis or formality.{aː}: /aa/ – a longer version of the "a" sound, as in "father", used for emphasis.

• {eː}: /ee/ – a lengthened "e" sound, used to stretch out words for clarity or emphasis.
• {iː}: /ii/ – an extended "i" sound, often for formal or ritualistic speech.

Tones

Thal'zakiri is a tonal language, like Yoruba and Igbo, meaning pitch plays a critical role in distinguishing the meaning of words.  

High Tone: Marked by a sharp rise in pitch, usually indicated by an acute accent (´). Example: má ("to lead").

Mid Tone: Neutral or level tone, no accent used. Example: ma ("to speak").

Low Tone: Marked by a fall in pitch, indicated by a grave accent (). Example: mà ("to strike").

Diphthongs

Diphthongs (two vowel sounds blended together) occur naturally in Thal'zakiri.

• {ai}: /ai/ – as in "eye", a combination of the "a" and "i" sounds.
• {au}: /au/ – as in "out", where the "a" and "u" sounds blend together.

Pronunciation Examples in Thal'zakiri

Sha'kir [ʃaˈkir] – "Spirit Guide"

Ka'thar [kaˈθar] – "Victory"

Morut [mɔˈrut] – "Warrior"

Common Phonetic Features

Glottal Stops: A common feature at the beginning of certain words or between vowel sounds (similar to Arabic and Swahili).

Vowel Harmony: Certain vowels affect the pronunciation of subsequent syllables, influencing tone and stress patterns.

Trills: R's are commonly rolled, especially in formal or ceremonial speech.

Thal'zakiri uses particles placed before the verb to mark the tense. There are three primary tenses: past, present, and future.  

Present Tense

The present tense is unmarked in Thal'zakiri. Verbs are used in their base form, as it is assumed that the action is happening now.   Example: Moren kai tur. (They run with strength in time.)

• Moren = run
• Kai = strength
• Tur = time

Past Tense

To indicate the past tense, the particle "na'" is placed before the verb. This particle turns the verb into its past form, signifying that the action has already occurred.   Example: Na'moren kai tur. (They ran with strength in time.) Na'moren = ran (past tense of "moren")

• Kai = strength
• Tur = time

Alternatively, the phrase "sha'tur" (meaning "completed in time") can be used after the sentence to indicate past tense.   Example:

• Moren kai sha'tur. (They have run with strength in time.)

Future Tense

To indicate the future tense, the particle "vesh'" is placed before the verb. This particle signifies that the action will happen in the future.   Example: Vesh'moren kai tur. (They will run with strength in time.)

• Vesh'moren = will run (future tense of "moren")
• Kai = strength
• Tur = time

Imperative Mood (Commands)

In Thal'zakiri, imperatives (commands) are expressed by placing the verb first, with the verb often unmarked for tense. For added emphasis, the particle "Sha!" can follow the command.   Example:

• Moren kai! (Run with strength!)
• Jahar sha kai! (Swear by strength!)

Negation of Tense

To negate a verb, the particle "naav" is placed after the verb. This negation applies across all tenses.   Present Tense Negation: Moren naav. (They do not run.)   Past Tense Negation: Na'moren naav. (They did not run.)   Future Tense Negation: Vesh'moren naav. (They will not run.)   Summary of Tense Markers:

• Present Tense: No marker (default form of the verb)
• Past Tense: Na' before the verb
• Future Tense: Vesh' before the verb
• Negation: Naav placed after the verb

Thal'zakiri follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) word order in most cases, similar to English. However, the language is highly flexible depending on context, and in some poetic or formal settings, Verb-Subject-Object (VSO) or Object-Subject-Verb (OSV) structures may be used to emphasize certain elements of the sentence.   Example: "Korvath jahar sha moruun." (Korvath swears to the path.)

• Korvath = Subject
• Jahar = Verb (swears)
• Sha moruun = Object (to the path)

Formal Structure

Verb-Subject-Object (VSO) In formal or ceremonial speech, the Verb often comes first, followed by the Subject and Object. This structure emphasizes the action itself, and is commonly used in religious, royal, or military contexts.   Example: Moren Korvath kai tur. (Runs Korvath with strength in time.)

• Moren = Verb (runs)
• Korvath = Subject
• Kai tur = Object (with strength in time)

This structure is often used in speeches, oaths, and declarations.

Object-Subject-Verb (OSV) for Emphasis

In cases where the speaker wants to emphasize the object, the object can be placed first, followed by the subject and verb. This is used for dramatic effect or to draw attention to the object of the action.   Example: Kai tur Korvath moren. (With strength in time, Korvath runs.)

• Kai tur = Object
• Korvath = Subject
• Moren = Verb (runs)

This structure is typically reserved for specific contexts where the object of the action is of particular importance.  

Negation in Sentence Structure

Negation is simple and follows the same structure as regular sentences, with the particle "naav" inserted after the verb. The overall structure remains the same (SVO, VSO, or OSV).   Present Tense:
Korvath moren naav kai tur. (Korvath does not run with strength in time.) Past Tense:
Na'korvath moren naav kai tur. (Korvath did not run with strength in time.) Future Tense:
Vesh'korvath moren naav kai tur. (Korvath will not run with strength in time.)  

Questions in Thal'zakiri

Questions are formed by placing the particle "sha?" at the end of the sentence. The overall sentence structure remains the same (SVO, VSO, or OSV). You can also rely on intonation for yes/no questions.   Example:

• Korvath moren kai tur sha? (Does Korvath run with strength in time?)
• Vesh'korvath moren kai tur sha? (Will Korvath run with strength in time?)

Alternatively, in more informal speech, sha can be placed at the beginning of the sentence to form a question, but this is less common.  

Imperative Structure (Commands)

For commands, Thal'zakiri often places the verb first, with the subject either omitted or placed after for emphasis. Commands are typically unmarked for tense unless it's necessary to emphasize when the action should happen.   Example:

• Moren kai! (Run with strength!)
• Jahar ash'tur! (Swear by honor!)

For a command directed at a specific person:   Example:

• Moren Korvath kai! (Korvath, run with strength!)

In some cases, adding "sha!" at the end of a command can add urgency or authority:   Example:

• Moren kai sha! (Run with strength, now!)

Possession Structure

Possession is indicated by the particle "ve" (meaning "of" or "belonging to") placed between the possessor and the possessed.   Example:

• Korvath ve zar. (Korvath's blade.)
• Ishla ve ash. (The glory of honor.)

Modifiers (Adjectives and Adverbs)

Modifiers typically follow the word they modify. This applies to both adjectives (describing nouns) and adverbs (describing verbs).   Example:

• Korvath moren mora. (Korvath runs swiftly.)

Mora = swiftly (adverb)

• Zar mora kai. (A strong, swift blade.)

Mora = swift (adjective) Kai = strong (adjective)

The order is flexible depending on what the speaker wants to emphasize, but there's a typical hierarchical structure to adjectives when multiple adjectives are used. Here’s the general adjective order in Thal'zakiri:

1. Quantity (how many)
2. Quality (descriptive, emotional, or opinion-based)
3. Size
4. Age
5. Shape
6. Color
7. Origin/Material (where it's from or what it's made of)
8. Purpose

Example Adjective Order: In the sentence “A strong, tall, black sword of Eouma for battle”, the order would follow as:   Zar kai tur'laan mora ve Eouma sha moruh.

1. Zar = sword (noun)
2. Kai = strong (quality)
3. Tur'laan = tall (size)
4. Mora = black (color)
5. Ve Eouma = from Eouma (origin)
6. Sha moruh = for battle (purpose)

Example Sentences with Multiple Adjectives: “A strong, ancient, black sword from Eouma for battle.” Zar kai vesha mora ve Eouma sha moruh.

1. Zar = sword (noun)
2. Kai = strong (quality)
3. Vesha = ancient (age)
4. Mora = black (color)
5. Ve Eouma = from Eouma (origin)
6. Sha moruh = for battle (purpose)

“Two swift, white leaders for the tribe.” Duun kor mora shal sha tor.

1. Duun = two (quantity)
2. Kor = leader (noun)
3. Mora = swift (quality)
4. Shal = white (color)
5. Sha tor = for the tribe (purpose)

While this is the general order, Thal'zakiri speakers sometimes adjust adjective order based on what they want to emphasize. For example, in poetic or ceremonial speech, placing an adjective like kai (strong) first might be used to highlight the importance of strength over other attributes.
This flexibility allows the language to flow naturally depending on context while keeping a familiar structure for most uses.

In Thal'zakiri, structural markers are particles or words that help define the relationships between different elements of a sentence. These markers are crucial in understanding the sentence's structure, emphasis, possession, and relationship between subjects, objects, and verbs. Below is a breakdown of key structural markers used in Thal'zakiri:  

1. Ve (of, belonging to) – Possession Marker

Ve is used to indicate possession or association between two nouns, similar to the English "of" or "belonging to."   Example: Kor ve zar. (The leader's blade.)

• Kor = leader
• Ve = of
• Zar = blade

Ishla ve moruh. (The glory of victory.)

• Ishla = glory
• Ve = of
• Moruh = victory

2. Sha (until, to) – Temporal and Purpose Marker

Sha serves a dual purpose. It can indicate time (as in "until" something happens) or can mark purpose or direction (as in "for" or "to" something).   As a Temporal Marker (until):   Sha tur thur'kal. (Until time ends.)

• Sha = until
• Tur = time
• Thur'kal = ends

As a Purpose Marker (for):   Kor sha moruh. (The leader for battle.)

• Sha = for
• Moruh = battle

3. Moruun (path, way) – Directional/Path Marker

Moruun can be used metaphorically to indicate a path or way. It is often used in ceremonial or formal speech and frequently accompanies discussions of honor, glory, or fate.   Example: Jahar ve moruun ishla. (Swear by the path of glory.)

• Moruun = path
• Ishla = glory

4. Na' (past tense marker)

Na' is the primary past tense marker and is always placed before the verb to indicate that the action has already taken place.   Example: Na'moren kai tur. (They ran with strength in time.)

• Na' = past marker
• Moren = run
• Kai = strength

5. Vesh' (future tense marker)

Vesh' is the primary future tense marker and is placed before the verb to indicate future actions.   Example: Vesh'moren kai tur. (They will run with strength in time.)

• Vesh' = future marker
• Moren = run
• Kai = strength

6. Naav (negation marker)

Naav is used to negate a verb or phrase. It is placed after the verb or word it negates.   Example:

• Moren naav. (They do not run.)
• Naav = not

Example (possessive negation):   Kor ve zar naav. (The leader has no blade.)

• Naav = none/not

7. Thur'kal (ends, completion marker)

Thur'kal is used to indicate the completion of an action or event, especially when referring to time or finality.   Example: Sha tur thur'kal. (Until time ends.)

• Sha = until
• Tur = time
• Thur'kal = ends

8. Koris (guides, leads) – Role Marker

Koris is often used in ceremonial or formal language to indicate guidance, leadership, or the process of being led along a path.   Example: Koris ishla ve moruun. (Glory guides the path.)

• Koris = guides/leads
• Ishla = glory
• Ve moruun = of the path

9. Vaan (us, together) – Plural/Possession Marker

Vaan is used to indicate us or together, often used to show collective action or shared possession.   Example: Kai vaan moruh. (Strength leads us to victory.)

• Vaan = us
• Moruh = victory

10. Shara (leads, brings) – Action Marker

Shara is often used to mark an action or effort, especially in the context of leading or bringing something forward.   Example: Ash shara moruun. (Honor leads the path.)

• Ash = honor
• Shara = leads/brings
• Moruun = path

11. Tor (for, with, as) – Usage/Utility Marker

Tor serves as a preposition used to indicate utility or association, often meaning for or with in the context of how something is used.   Example: Zar tor moruh. (A sword for battle.)

• Tor = for
• Moruh = battle

Example Sentences Using Structural Markers:

Possession with "ve":

• Kor ve zar. (The leader's blade.)

Time/Until with "sha":

• Sha tur thur'kal. (Until time ends.)

Past Tense with "na'":

• Na'kor moruh ve kai. (The leader won with strength.)

Future Tense with "vesh'":

• Vesh'kor moruh ve kai. (The leader will win with strength.)

Negation with "naav":

• Kor moren naav kai. (The leader does not run with strength.)

Guidance with "koris":

• Koris moruun ve ishla. (The path is guided by glory.)

Summary of Key Structural Markers:

Ve = of, belonging to (possession)
Sha = until, for (time or purpose)
Na' = past tense
Vesh' = future tense
Naav = negation
Thur'kal = ends, completion
Koris = guides, leads
Vaan = us, together
Shara = leads, brings