Tāngese
Tāngese is the common human language of Whenua, serving as the lingua franca across kingdoms, cities, and trade routes. It is neutral, practical, and easy to learn, making it the standard for communication between different races and cultures. While its core grammar is simple, it can absorb vocabulary from other languages, especially in border regions or multicultural cities.
Over centuries, as the seven kingdoms of Whenua grew apart and cultures diverged, Classical Tāngese fractured into multiple distinct descendant languages. Today, these variants are often mutually unintelligible, though all carry echoes of the Classical root in sound, grammar, and shared heritage.
Over centuries, as the seven kingdoms of Whenua grew apart and cultures diverged, Classical Tāngese fractured into multiple distinct descendant languages. Today, these variants are often mutually unintelligible, though all carry echoes of the Classical root in sound, grammar, and shared heritage.
Writing System
- Script Type: Alphabetic.
- Mediums: Parchment, paper, carved stone, signage, and banners; designed for clarity and legibility.
- Effect: Practical and versatile; intended for official documents, maps, and everyday writing.
Phonology
- Overall Sound: Neutral, clear, and balanced; neither harsh nor overly melodic, designed for easy comprehension by all races.
- Consonants: p, b, t, d, k, g, m, n, s, l, r, f, v — smooth and clear.
- Vowels: a, e, i, o, u — short or long, depending on stress and regional accents.
- Effect: Practical and versatile; ideal for trade, diplomacy, and cross-cultural communication.
Morphology
- Word Length: Mostly 1–3 syllables for common words; longer words exist for technical or abstract terms.
- Compounding: Minimal; uses separate words instead of affixes to express complex ideas.
- Effect: Words are simple, clear, and practical, facilitating easy communication and comprehension.
Syntax
- Order: Subject–Verb–Object (SVO), standard across contexts.
- Modifiers: Precede nouns (e.g., “red stone” → “red stone”).
- Tense/Plurality: Simple markers for past, present, future, and plurality; flexible but consistent.
- Effect: Clear and unambiguous; designed for efficient communication between diverse speakers.
Vocabulary
- Focuses on daily communication, trade, law, social interaction, and travel.
- Abstract or poetic terms exist but are limited compared to Rīwhi or Rīwho.
- Flexible enough to borrow words from local dialects, particularly names, items, and cultural concepts.
Phonetics
- Consonants: p, b, t, d, k, g, m, n, s, l, r, f, v — generally soft; occasional clusters in borrowed words.
- Vowels: a, e, i, o, u — clear, unaccented; long vowels used for emphasis.
- Syllable Structure: Primarily CV and CVC; occasional CCV for emphasis or loanwords.
- Sound Traits: Smooth, neutral, and easy to pronounce; neither harsh nor excessively musical, designed for clarity.
Cultural Notes
Tāngese is the language of diplomacy, trade, and general communication; fluency is considered essential for anyone traveling widely across Whenua.
Regional accents or minor vocabulary differences exist but do not hinder mutual understanding.
In multicultural cities, Tāngese often incorporates loanwords from other languages.
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