Perlisian
Writing System
Perlisian uses a phonemic abugida, where each consonant carries an inherent vowel (/æ/). Other vowels are marked with diacritics placed above, below, or next to the consonant. The script is written left to right (LTR) and features a structured yet calligraphic aesthetic.
Structure of the Script
Consonant-Vowel System:
- Each consonant symbol has an inherent /a/ vowel.
- Other vowels are written using diacritic marks.
- Standalone vowels have their own full-sized letters.
Final Consonants:
- Only /r, l, n, s/ can appear word-finally.
- Final consonants are written as full-sized letters.
- Final voiced stops devoice (e.g., /d/ → /t/, /g/ → /k/), and a diacritic marks this change in writing.
Consonant Clusters & Ligatures:
- All consonant clusters merge into ligatures to maintain fluidity.
- Ligatures are optional in casual writing but common in formal texts.
Aesthetic & Cultural Influence:
- The script balances elegance and precision, with straight lines and artistic curves.
- There is no division between sacred and everyday writing—all texts use the same script.
Phonology
Vowels
Perlisian has seven vowel phonemes:
| Front | Central | Back | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Close | /i, iː, y, ɪ/ | --- | /uː/ |
| Close-mid | /ẽ/ | --- | /õ/ |
| Open-mid | /æ/ | /ɜː/ | /ʌ, ɔː/ |
| Open | /aː/ | --- | --- |
Diphthongs:
- Perlisian features six diphthongs: /eɪ̯, aɪ̯, əʊ̯, ɪə̯, eə̯, ʊə̯/.
- These diphthongs trigger palatalization of velar consonants (/k, g/ → /c, ɟ/).
- Hiatus is allowed (not all vowel sequences merge into diphthongs).
Unstressed Vowel Reduction:
- In casual speech, unstressed vowels weaken slightly but remain distinct.
Consonants
Perlisian features 22 consonant phonemes:
| Bilabial | Labiodental | Apical | Dental | Alveolar | Palato-alveolar | Retroflex | Palatal | Velar | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nasal | /m/ | --- | --- | --- | /n/ | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Stop | /p b/ | --- | /d̺/ | /t̪/ | /d/ | --- | --- | --- | /k g/ |
| Affricate | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | /ts dz/ | --- | --- |
| Fricative | --- | /f v/ | --- | --- | /s z/ | /ʃ ʒ/ | --- | --- | /ɣ/ |
| Approximant | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | /j/ | --- |
| Trill | --- | --- | --- | --- | /r/ | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Lateral approximant | --- | --- | --- | --- | /l/ | --- | --- | --- | --- |
Phonological Rules
Gemination:
- Geminates occur only between vowels (never at the beginning or end of words).
- Geminate consonants are held longer, creating a rhythmic effect in speech.
Rhotics:
- /r/ is a trill /r/ at the beginning of words and in geminates.
- Otherwise, it is pronounced /ɹ/ in casual speech.
Palatalization:
- /ɣ/ changes depending on the following vowel:
- Before front vowels (/i, iː, y, ɪ, ẽ, æ, aː/): /ɣ/ → /ʝ/.
- Before central or back vowels: It remains /ɣ/.
Syllable Structure
- Preferred: (C)V(C).
- Perlisian prefers open syllables ending in vowels, but allows final /r l n s/.
Stress & Intonation
Stress is fully phonemic—it can change word meaning.
Intonation is melodic, with a natural rising-falling pattern.
- Yes/no questions: Rising pitch at the end.
- Statements: Falling intonation.
Morphology
Nouns
Number: Singular and plural.
Plural Formation:
- Singular words never contain plural vowels and vice versa.
- Plural vowels shift as follows: /uː, y, õ/ → /ʊə̯/; /aː, æ/ → /aɪ̯/; /ɜː, ẽ/ → /eə̯/; /ɔː, ʌ/ → /əʊ̯/; /iː, i, ɪ/ → /ɪə̯/
Articles:
- Definite: il (m. sg.), la (f. sg.), i (m. pl.), le (f. pl.)
- Indefinite: un, una (no plural indefinite article).
- Plural indefinite is implied.
Possession
- No indefinite possession—the definite article is always used.
- Expressed with possessive adjectives instead of genitive case.
Adjectives
- Agree with nouns in number but not in gender.
Verbs
Perlisian verbs conjugate for:
- Person (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
- Number (Singular, Plural)
- Tense (Present, Past Imperfect, Simple Past, Future)
- Aspect (Completed vs. Ongoing)
- Mood (Indicative, Subjunctive, Conditional, Imperative)
Three Conjugation Classes
- /-eə̯/ verbs
- /-ɪə̯/ verbs
- /-aɪ̯jæ/ verbs
Pronouns
- Subject pronouns are usually omitted due to verb inflection.
- Pronouns are used for emphasis or clarity.
- Clitic pronouns are always separate words and must precede the verb.
Negation
- Marked with a suffix on the verb (rather than a separate word).
- Clitic pronouns remain before the verb, and negation is applied to the verb stem.
Syntax
Word Order
- Strict SVO (Subject-Verb-Object).
Adjective Placement:
- Default: Adjectives come after nouns.
- For emphasis: Adjectives can come before nouns.
Pronouns:
- Subject pronouns are usually omitted due to verb inflection.
- Pronouns are used for emphasis or clarity.
- Clitic pronouns are always separate words and must precede the verb.
Relative Clauses:
- Perlisian has invariant relative pronoun /kẽ/ for "who/that/which."
Subordinate Clauses:
- Perlisian has a unique conjunction /t̪õ/ for "that."
- Used in declarative clauses.
Question Formation:
- Yes/no questions: Intonation only (no word order change).
- WH-questions: Interrogative words at the beginning.
Vocabulary
Nouns
Names
| Native Anglicised | Perlisian Anglicised | Perlisian IPA |
|---|---|---|
| Perlé | Perlé | /pɛr.lɛ/ |
| Nikolic | Nicolék | /nicolɛk/ |
| Kyirnet Ronikolic | Cyrnet | /cɪrnɛt/ |
| Kyirnetana Ronikolic | Cyrnetan | /cɪrnɛtan/ |
| Rynadye Ronikolic | Rinajé | /rinad͡ʒɛ/ |
| Rongyonikolic | Ronyonicolék | /roɲonicolɛk/ |
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