Aethi (language)
Once known as Isaani, this language, originating from the continent of Isaana, has become so widespread across the entirety of the unified planet for centuries that it is simply known as Aethi.
For more information, see Aethi on ConWorkShop.
Writing System
Aethi is typically written in auan'Ilmari, a print-hand and digital writing scheme derived from the older Ilmari script, which is a flowing cursive form that was common historically in Isaana. Both auan'Ilmari and the original Ilmari are designed to be used with angled-nib pens or (more commonly) slant-cut brushes and brush pens.
There is also a variant called Theiri, with very square forms derived from ilmari and better suited for engravings or block prints. However, with the advent of modern printing presses, and later digital printing and robotic letter-cutting, Theiri is relegated to a stylistic option and brush-style auan'Ilmari text is most typical for all forms of Aethi writing.
The auan'Ilmari letters are as follows:
(vai:) Aeya, eser'aeya, ma va, de, tam,
(vai:) Ata, eser'ata, je za, zha - sa nam,
(vai:) Isi, eser'isi, le, ri, tle, dle,
(vai:) Uth, eser'uth, olo ye, tha - ha ke.
Geographical Distribution
Syntax
- Word order is generally subject-verb-object, similar to English.
- Prepositional phrases tend to come before what they modify.
- There is an indefinite article ("li'"), but not a definite article. Unmarked nouns can be proximal, generally definite, or gnomic depending on context.
- Utilizes special 'universal modifiers' - essentially particles - to negate verbs, phrases, or entire sentences, to form questions, statements of wishes/hopes (may it be...), and serve several other functions.
- The Aethi word for "and", vai, can be used either to join list items (like: this, vai that, vai the other thing) or at the start of a very long list (like: I bought vai: tea, milk, biscuits, flour, eggs, ...)
Vocabulary
Phonetics
(See: Aethi on ConWorkShop for a comprehensive IPA phonetic chart.)
Aethi's phonetics are notable for its unbalanced inventory (/þ/ without /ð/, /ʒ/ without native /ʃ/, etc.) resulting from a number of Old Isaani-era voicing fusions, as well as a lack of several common humanoid consonants (no p, b, g, etc.), and its short-long vowel system, wherein the most common vowels (a, i, ae, u) have distinct short and long variants, with the long variants being Romanized as aa, ii, e, and uu respectively. Long Aethi vowels typically form stressed syllables, have a "deeper" sound, and (except for e) are sustained for a longer time. O has no long variant in Aethi. Such a sound (ou) once existed, but the two merged as of early modern Isaani as a result of speakers trying to keep O distinct from the more common a/aa sounds as they drifted further back in the mouth over the generations.
Aethi's phonetics are notable for its unbalanced inventory (/þ/ without /ð/, /ʒ/ without native /ʃ/, etc.) resulting from a number of Old Isaani-era voicing fusions, as well as a lack of several common humanoid consonants (no p, b, g, etc.), and its short-long vowel system, wherein the most common vowels (a, i, ae, u) have distinct short and long variants, with the long variants being Romanized as aa, ii, e, and uu respectively. Long Aethi vowels typically form stressed syllables, have a "deeper" sound, and (except for e) are sustained for a longer time. O has no long variant in Aethi. Such a sound (ou) once existed, but the two merged as of early modern Isaani as a result of speakers trying to keep O distinct from the more common a/aa sounds as they drifted further back in the mouth over the generations.
Tenses
Aethi verbs conjugate for the past, present, and future tenses, as well as the participle and the perfect or complete, e.g. "had done", "has done", "will have done" forms. Other grammatical moods and tenses are denoted with auxiliary words, e.g. vaen for the subjunctive (would). A typical Aethi verb, eriman (meaning to like, or casually love), is conjugated thus:
The imperative (command) form of a verb is formed by adding a -u either in front of or replacing the final vowel and n of the imperative form. For example, suuren (to run) would become suuru/suurenu (Run!). Whether the -u or -nu imperative is more common varies from word to word, with more common verbs favoring the shorter -u form unless it makes the verb stem unclear.
| PAST | PRESENT | FUTURE | |
| (STANDARD) | erimeth | erimai | erimaye |
| PERFECT | erimaleth | erimalai | erimalye |
| PARTICIPLE | erimasa | erimael | erimave |
Sentence Structure
Aethi sentences are generally subject-verb-object. Verbs can come after the object for poetic reasons or to emphasize the object of the action, however because there are no subject/object cases, even for pronouns, the subject MUST come first unless context makes the meaning extremely clear.
In simple commands/imperative sentances, the verb may come first, followed by the subject (target), then the object if there is one.
Questions are typically formed by either starting a sentence or phrase with the question particle tai (for yes/no-type questions) or replacing the unknown (usually noun or adjective) in the sentence with tai. The word order does not change.
In simple commands/imperative sentances, the verb may come first, followed by the subject (target), then the object if there is one.
Questions are typically formed by either starting a sentence or phrase with the question particle tai (for yes/no-type questions) or replacing the unknown (usually noun or adjective) in the sentence with tai. The word order does not change.
Adjective Order
Adjectives/adverbs come after their modified word, except when used as a differentiator (E.g. "The RED button, not (the) blue!!!" = "KAR akri, tal alun!!!")
Dictionary
Common Phrases
Common Female Names
(see: Isaani Ethnicity)
Common Male Names
(see: Isaani Ethnicity)
Common Unisex Names
(see: Isaani Ethnicity)
Comments