Difference between revisions of "Laytal"

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''Létal'' is the official language of [[Star City]]. Originally it was [[Wikipedia:Germanic languages|Germanic]] and [[Wikipedia:Romance languages|Romance]] pidgin, but as the population became more diversified [[Wikipedia:Slavic languages|Slavic]], [[Wikipedia:Japanese Language|Japanese]], and most recently, [[Wikipedia:Korean Language|Korean]] have had considerable effect on its vocabulary. As such, the language resembles a [[Wikipedia:Proto-Indo-European (Language)|PIE]]/Japanese mix. It is now considered a [[Wikipedia:Creole Language|creole]].
 
''Létal'' is the official language of [[Star City]]. Originally it was [[Wikipedia:Germanic languages|Germanic]] and [[Wikipedia:Romance languages|Romance]] pidgin, but as the population became more diversified [[Wikipedia:Slavic languages|Slavic]], [[Wikipedia:Japanese Language|Japanese]], and most recently, [[Wikipedia:Korean Language|Korean]] have had considerable effect on its vocabulary. As such, the language resembles a [[Wikipedia:Proto-Indo-European (Language)|PIE]]/Japanese mix. It is now considered a [[Wikipedia:Creole Language|creole]].
  
−
The meaning of the name "Létal" is unkown, though it is cited that "kletj-tlann" ("people-among" -- "to share") could be contracted to '''kletjtla''' and then corrupted into '''letla'''.
+
The meaning of "Létal" is though to be a contracted corruption of "kletj-tlann" ("among people") -> ''kletjtla'' -> ''letla'' -> ''létal'' - roughly ''shared language''. Before this it was known as ''Hellenic Lip'' (''LabisoGrekam'' - [[Wikipedia:SAMPA|SAMPA]] /labIsogr\ekaV/). Its associated vocabulary and (almost non-existent) grammar known as ''ArxeLétal'' -- Old Létal.
  
−
In the far past it has been known as "LabisoGrekam" ([[Wikipedia:SAMPA|SAMPA]] - /labIsogr\ekaV/ - "Hellenic Lips") - Its associated vocabulary and (almost non-existent) grammar known as ''ArxeLétal'' -- Old Létal.
+
== The Alphabet ==
−
 
+
''Te ÉlbaVotjé''
−
 
+
−
== The Alphabet - Te ÉlbaVotjé ==
+
  
 
* A
 
* A
Line 48: Line 46:
 
** ema - /@/
 
** ema - /@/
 
* Kh
 
* Kh
 +
** Qok - /qx/
 
** xok - /x/
 
** xok - /x/
 
* I
 
* I
Line 88: Line 87:
  
  
−
=== The "h" Modifier - Te "h" Méta ===
+
=== The "h" Modifier ===
 +
''Te "h" Méta''
  
 
The following can be [[Wikipedia:platalization|platalized]] by adding "h" after the initial letter: a (ai), b (bj), k (kj), j (dZj), d (dj), e (@i), x (xj), l (L), n (J), o (oi), s (sj) and t (tj).
 
The following can be [[Wikipedia:platalization|platalized]] by adding "h" after the initial letter: a (ai), b (bj), k (kj), j (dZj), d (dj), e (@i), x (xj), l (L), n (J), o (oi), s (sj) and t (tj).
  
 +
== Numbers ==
 +
''Rivrenn''
  
−
== Numbers - Rivrenn ==
+
0 ziró, 1 koz, 2 kepl, 3 trah, 4 tetra, 5 tqinkó, 6 egce, 7 zita, 8 okt, 9 nófem, 10 desimal, 11 onzann, 12 dezann, 13 trahdesi... 16 xekcidekc... 20 kepldasi and so on.
  
−
0 ziró, 1 koz, 2 kepl, 3 trah, 4 tetra, 5 tqinkó, 6 egce, 7 zita, 8 okt, 9 nófem, 10 desimal, 11 onzann, 12 dezann, 13 trahdesi... 16 xekcidekc... 20 kepldasi.
+
Powers are: 1^1 dennz, 1^2 sennt, 1^3 kila, 1^6 miga, 1^12 giga, 1^18 tera.
  
−
1^1 dennz, 1^2 sennt, 1^3 kila, 1^6 miga, 1^12 giga, 1^18 tera.
+
Once, twice, thrice... can be expressed by taking the number and suffixing '''-pla''' to it.
  
 +
== Scripts ==
 +
''Dcinnenn''
  
−
== Scripts - Dcinnenn ==
+
There are two alphabets (or impure [[Wikipedia:abjad|abjads]]) which may be used to write Létal words:
 +
*[[Wikipedia:Greek Alphabet|Grecko]]-[[Wikipedia:Cyrillic Alphabet|Cyrillic]] Script (ElennaTsrilek Dcinn) which is written left to right.
 +
*''Alexander's Land Script'' which mixes Greek, [[Wikipedia:Arabic alphabet|Arabic]] and [[Wikipedia:Georgian Alphabet|Georgian]] (wa Alexanndrosnnó-ke Dcinn) which is written right to left.
  
−
The alphabet may be written in either the [[Wikipedia:Greek Alphabet|Grecko]]-[[Wikipedia:Cyrillic Alphabet|Cyrillic]] Script (ElennaTsrilek Dcinn) or ''Alexander's Land Script'' (wa Alexanndrosnnó-ke Dcinn) which mixes Greek, [[Wikipedia:Arabic alphabet|Arabic]] and [[Wikipedia:Georgian Alphabet|Georgian]]. [[Wikipedia:Diacritic|Diactritics]] allow the glot "d" to become "t" or "é" to become "a" and inform of platalization. Both scripts can function as impure [[Wikipedia:abjad|abjads]] through other marks above each consonant, following the trend towards a [[Wikipedia:Syllable|syllabic]] notation.
+
Grammatical particles are written in an adapted Japanese [[Wikipedia:Hiragana|Hiragana]] whilst advanced texts, when capable, use [[Wikipedia:Kanji|Kanji]] ideographs marked with [[Wikipedia:Furigana|Furigana]] appropriate to the alphabet in use. Through the efforts of ''The Létal House'' regulatory body, the syllables in single words are now decreasing.
  
−
Furthermore, advanced texts when capable make use of CJK Ideographs. Te Létal-Kotj (The Létal House) is in the process of reducing the syllables in words without creating a [[Wikipedia:Tone (linguistics)|tonal]] language.
+
== Grammar ==
 +
''DomSinntak''
  
−
In the past, Létal has been written in a heavily modified Arabic script, but this was abandoned due to having to represent so many phonemes in the ''ÉlbaVotjé'' layout.
 
−
 
−
 
−
== Grammar - DomSinntak ==
 
 
As Létal is essentially just a mature pidgin, the grammar is basic.
 
As Létal is essentially just a mature pidgin, the grammar is basic.
  
Line 116: Line 119:
 
  The anger.adj subj.crime.fight.pl.person quick.adv past.apprehend.verb the two felon.uncertain obj.child.pl
 
  The anger.adj subj.crime.fight.pl.person quick.adv past.apprehend.verb the two felon.uncertain obj.child.pl
  
−
=== Pronouns - IzemEkcMéta ===
+
=== Pronouns ===
 +
''IzemEkcMéta''
  
 
* I = Yó, Yutq = I am
 
* I = Yó, Yutq = I am
Line 128: Line 132:
 
* One = Unn, Unntq = One is
 
* One = Unn, Unntq = One is
  
 +
=== Conjugation ===
 +
''ZqlaobPrigwa''
 +
 +
Nouns and infinitives have no forms, though pronouns are preceeded by '''wa'''. If one wishes to preserve the spelling and sound of a foreign word, it is prefixed with '''ser-'''.
  
−
=== Conjugation - ZqlaobPrigwa ===
+
Present, past and future tense are fixed with '''-rat''', '''p(e)-''' and '''s(e)-''' respectively - where bracketed letters are ommitted if the succeeding sound is a vowel. The command form is '''-dhu'''.
  
−
* '''Nouns and infinitives have no forms.'''
+
'''-(w)ó''' shows that the word is a verb and '''-est''' and '''-etq''' are the second and third persons. '''-(a)tj''' is used for adjectives and '''-(a)tf''' for adverbs. Furthermore, adverbs of increasing positivity or negativity are indicated by suffixing '''-i''' or the higher '''-u''' to the adverb form. Again, the bracketed letters are ommited when preceeded by a vowel other than "é".
−
* Pronouns, however, are preceeding by "wa".
+
−
* To preserve the spelling of a foreign word, "ser-" (from ''sermó''-''language'') is prefixed to it.
+
−
* Conjunctions can be suffixed with "-vek".
+
  
−
'''The vowels of ''pe-'' and ''se-'' are omitted when the succeeding phoneme is a vowel'''
+
Plurality is marked by '''-(c)enn''' where ''c'' is the last consonant if the preceeding sound was a vowel. Possession has two forms: '''-nnó''' for a singular and '''-emó''' for a plural body. As with Greek, one can negate a word by prefixing "é-" to it (eg - '''a'''theist).
−
* Present Tense: ''tqenntcé-ó-'''rat''''' Learning
+
−
* Past Tense: '''''pe'''-tqenntcé-ó'' Learned
+
−
* Future Tense: '''''se'''-tqenntcé-ó'' Will Learn
+
−
* Command Form: ''tqenntcé-ó-'''dhu''''' Go Learn
+
  
−
'''The bracketed part of the suffix is used when the preceeding phoneme is a vowel (unless it is "é")'''
+
'''-ax''', from the German ''macht'', means a person who does something - eg, ''tekem-ax'' is a ''fight'''er'''''. Other specific suffixes include:
−
* "-(w)ó" indicates a verb, [[Wikipedia:Verb#Valency|valencies]] are not indicated
+
−
* "-(a)tj" indicates an adjective
+
−
* "-(a)tf" indicates an adverb
+
−
** "-(a)tfi" and "-(a)tfu" show increasing positives (eg - happier, happiest)
+
  
−
* "-(*)enn" designates plurals. *- The last consonant is repeated.
+
*'''-é/tr''' = in/animate thing
−
* "-nnó" signifies possession.
+
*'''-bahó''' = organic or anatomical
−
* "-emó" shows possession by a plural (eg: "jinnemó"-"people's")
+
*'''-tn''' = process
−
* "é-" negates (eg: the English "atheist"-'not theist')
+
*'''-ahtj''' = tool
 +
*'''-ke''' = place of
 +
*'''-éga''' = uncertainty
 +
*'''-st''' = state of
 +
*'''-tab''' = chemical element
 +
*'''-tlann''' = among
 +
*'''-intr''' = between
  
−
=== Word Order - Zqlaobnnó Dadcu ===
+
=== Word Order ===
 +
''Zqlaobnnó Dadcu''
  
−
Létal word order is variable but tends to be written in English [[Wikipedia:Subject Verb Object:SVO]] and is interpreted as such by the lack of the following prefixes which may be used to change the order:
+
Sentences tend to be written in the English [[Wikipedia:Subject Verb Object:SVO]] order. If one wishes to change the order, perhaps for poetry or music, the following prefixes are to be used:
  
−
* "squ-" marks the subject
+
* "squ-" marking the subject
−
* "we-" may be used to indicate topic should it not be the subject
+
* "we-" to indicate the topic, should it not be the subject
−
* "mi-" marks the object
+
* "mi-" marking the object
 
** "mu-" direct object
 
** "mu-" direct object
 
** "mo-" indirect object
 
** "mo-" indirect object
  
−
== Common Phrases - Sóval Stennzazenn ==
+
== Common Phrases ==
 +
''Sóval Stennzazenn''
  
 
* Létal: - Létal - /lætal/
 
* Létal: - Létal - /lætal/
Line 169: Line 174:
 
* Goodbye: - Yet jatfi - /j@t dZatfi/
 
* Goodbye: - Yet jatfi - /j@t dZatfi/
 
* Please: - ¿Ereó yó? - /@r@o jo/
 
* Please: - ¿Ereó yó? - /@r@o jo/
−
* Thank you: - Yanko - /jaNko/
+
* Thank you: - Yanko - /jaNkQ/
 
* Sorry: - Izqvitro - /iZvitrQ/
 
* Sorry: - Izqvitro - /iZvitrQ/
 
* That one: Ate - /at@/
 
* That one: Ate - /at@/
Line 175: Line 180:
 
* Yes: - Ahi - /aii/
 
* Yes: - Ahi - /aii/
 
* No: - Nhi - /Ji/
 
* No: - Nhi - /Ji/
−
* I don't understand: - Yó ékuptoh-ó - /jo ækVptoi/
+
* I don't understand: - Yó ékuptoh-ó - /jo ækVptQio/
−
* Where's the bathroom?: - ¿Donndé etq ekbraolxraom? - /dQndæ @T brawlRawm/
+
* Where's the bathroom?: - ¿Donndé etq gutjxraom? - /dQndæ @T gutSRawm/
 
* Happy birthday - ¡Bhennu batqsol! - /bjenu baTsQl/
 
* Happy birthday - ¡Bhennu batqsol! - /bjenu baTsQl/
−
* How are you? - ¿Dqaonnó-st? - /DawnQst/
+
* How are you? - ¿Dqaonnó-st? - /Dawnost/
 
* Generic toast: - ¡Tcalu! - /tsalu/
 
* Generic toast: - ¡Tcalu! - /tsalu/
 
* Do you speak English?: - ¿Dqao vókordó Angla-ser? - /Daw vokQrdo aNgla s@r/
 
* Do you speak English?: - ¿Dqao vókordó Angla-ser? - /Daw vokQrdo aNgla s@r/
  
−
== Sample text in Létal - EkcPolhad Wem Vr Létal ==
+
== Sample text in Létal ==
 +
''EkcPolhad Wem Vr Létal''
  
 
  Mó jinnenn etq batq-ó prijos-atf tó satcwiann-atf vr vordq tó loke.
 
  Mó jinnenn etq batq-ó prijos-atf tó satcwiann-atf vr vordq tó loke.
 
  Tqes denne whéke tó setrum-st tó zu xradóva-ó vr yóba-st.
 
  Tqes denne whéke tó setrum-st tó zu xradóva-ó vr yóba-st.
 
  All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
 
  All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
−
  They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one
+
  They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
−
another in a spirit of brotherhood.
+
 
  All people are born free and equal in worth and rights.
 
  All people are born free and equal in worth and rights.
 
  They have reason and conscience and should act in brotherhood.
 
  They have reason and conscience and should act in brotherhood.

Revision as of 22:34, 15 November 2004

Létal
Spoken in:Star City and Dotjxraomm
Total speakers: Around 6.7 billion
Genetic
classification:

Creole
 Létal

Official status
Official language of:1 country
Regulated by:Te Létal-Kotj
Language codes
ISO 639-1: le
ISO 639-2: let

Létal is the official language of Star City. Originally it was Germanic and Romance pidgin, but as the population became more diversified Slavic, Japanese, and most recently, Korean have had considerable effect on its vocabulary. As such, the language resembles a PIE/Japanese mix. It is now considered a creole.

The meaning of "Létal" is though to be a contracted corruption of "kletj-tlann" ("among people") -> kletjtla -> letla -> létal - roughly shared language. Before this it was known as Hellenic Lip (LabisoGrekam - SAMPA /labIsogr\ekaV/). Its associated vocabulary and (almost non-existent) grammar known as ArxeLétal -- Old Létal.

The Alphabet

Te ÉlbaVotjé

  • A
    • élba - /ae/
    • alba - /a/
    • ãlba - /ã/
  • V
    • votjé - /v/
    • fotjé - /f/
  • B
    • béte - /b/
    • péte - /p/
  • K
    • kamao - /k/
      • kcamão - /ks/
    • gamao - /g/
      • gcamão - /gz/
  • J
    • jamu - /dZ/
  • D
    • daoletq - /d/
      • dcaoletq - /dz/
    • taoletq - /t/
      • tceta - /ts/
  • E
    • ema - /@/
  • Kh
    • Qok - /qx/
    • xok - /x/
  • I
    • ima - /i/
  • Y
    • yi - /j/
  • L
    • lamda - /l/
  • M
    • mwé - /m/
  • N
    • nnonn - /n/
    • nonn - /N/
  • O
    • omikra - /Q/
    • ómikra - /o/
    • umikra - /u/
  • R
    • ró - /r/
    • xró - /R/
  • S
    • samal - /s/
    • zamal - /z/
  • Sh
    • sqomol - /S/
    • zqomol - /Z/
  • Th
    • tqita - /T/
    • dqita - /D/
    • tjeta - /tS/
  • Tl
    • tleta - /tl/
    • pleta - /pl/
  • W
    • walatq - /w/
    • whilatq - /H/
  • The only dipthong is "ao".
  • /e/, /I/, /V/, /h/, /F/ and the Czech /rZ/ were originally part of a more complex alphabet but are now defunct phonemes in Létal.


The "h" Modifier

Te "h" Méta

The following can be platalized by adding "h" after the initial letter: a (ai), b (bj), k (kj), j (dZj), d (dj), e (@i), x (xj), l (L), n (J), o (oi), s (sj) and t (tj).

Numbers

Rivrenn

0 ziró, 1 koz, 2 kepl, 3 trah, 4 tetra, 5 tqinkó, 6 egce, 7 zita, 8 okt, 9 nófem, 10 desimal, 11 onzann, 12 dezann, 13 trahdesi... 16 xekcidekc... 20 kepldasi and so on.

Powers are: 1^1 dennz, 1^2 sennt, 1^3 kila, 1^6 miga, 1^12 giga, 1^18 tera.

Once, twice, thrice... can be expressed by taking the number and suffixing -pla to it.

Scripts

Dcinnenn

There are two alphabets (or impure abjads) which may be used to write Létal words:

  • Grecko-Cyrillic Script (ElennaTsrilek Dcinn) which is written left to right.
  • Alexander's Land Script which mixes Greek, Arabic and Georgian (wa Alexanndrosnnó-ke Dcinn) which is written right to left.

Grammatical particles are written in an adapted Japanese Hiragana whilst advanced texts, when capable, use Kanji ideographs marked with Furigana appropriate to the alphabet in use. Through the efforts of The Létal House regulatory body, the syllables in single words are now decreasing.

Grammar

DomSinntak

As Létal is essentially just a mature pidgin, the grammar is basic. 

The angry policemen quickly apprehended the two suspect children.
Te drug-atj squ-YannzqTekemenn-ax fors-atf pe-nantra-wó te kepl tari-éga mi-itkomenn.
The anger.adj subj.crime.fight.pl.person quick.adv past.apprehend.verb the two felon.uncertain obj.child.pl

Pronouns

IzemEkcMéta

  • I = Yó, Yutq = I am
  • We = Nnami, Nnatq = We are
  • You = Dqao (singular), Dqatq = You are
  • You = Ti (plural), Titq = You are
  • He = Nhes, Nhetqz = He is
  • She = Nhev, Nhetqf = She is
  • It = Nhu, Nhutq = It is
  • They = Tqes, Tqetq = They are
  • One = Unn, Unntq = One is

Conjugation

ZqlaobPrigwa

Nouns and infinitives have no forms, though pronouns are preceeded by wa. If one wishes to preserve the spelling and sound of a foreign word, it is prefixed with ser-.

Present, past and future tense are fixed with -rat, p(e)- and s(e)- respectively - where bracketed letters are ommitted if the succeeding sound is a vowel. The command form is -dhu.

-(w)ó shows that the word is a verb and -est and -etq are the second and third persons. -(a)tj is used for adjectives and -(a)tf for adverbs. Furthermore, adverbs of increasing positivity or negativity are indicated by suffixing -i or the higher -u to the adverb form. Again, the bracketed letters are ommited when preceeded by a vowel other than "é".

Plurality is marked by -(c)enn where c is the last consonant if the preceeding sound was a vowel. Possession has two forms: -nnó for a singular and -emó for a plural body. As with Greek, one can negate a word by prefixing "é-" to it (eg - atheist).

-ax, from the German macht, means a person who does something - eg, tekem-ax is a fighter. Other specific suffixes include:

  • -é/tr = in/animate thing
  • -bahó = organic or anatomical
  • -tn = process
  • -ahtj = tool
  • -ke = place of
  • -éga = uncertainty
  • -st = state of
  • -tab = chemical element
  • -tlann = among
  • -intr = between

Word Order

Zqlaobnnó Dadcu

Sentences tend to be written in the English Wikipedia:Subject Verb Object:SVO order. If one wishes to change the order, perhaps for poetry or music, the following prefixes are to be used:

  • "squ-" marking the subject
  • "we-" to indicate the topic, should it not be the subject
  • "mi-" marking the object
    • "mu-" direct object
    • "mo-" indirect object

Common Phrases

Sóval Stennzazenn

  • Létal: - Létal - /lætal/
  • Hello: - Kahsó - /kaiso/
  • Goodbye: - Yet jatfi - /j@t dZatfi/
  • Please: - ¿Ereó yó? - /@r@o jo/
  • Thank you: - Yanko - /jaNkQ/
  • Sorry: - Izqvitro - /iZvitrQ/
  • That one: Ate - /at@/
  • How much?: - ¿Pragc? - /pragz/
  • Yes: - Ahi - /aii/
  • No: - Nhi - /Ji/
  • I don't understand: - Yó ékuptoh-ó - /jo ækVptQio/
  • Where's the bathroom?: - ¿Donndé etq gutjxraom? - /dQndæ @T gutSRawm/
  • Happy birthday - ¡Bhennu batqsol! - /bjenu baTsQl/
  • How are you? - ¿Dqaonnó-st? - /Dawnost/
  • Generic toast: - ¡Tcalu! - /tsalu/
  • Do you speak English?: - ¿Dqao vókordó Angla-ser? - /Daw vokQrdo aNgla s@r/

Sample text in Létal

EkcPolhad Wem Vr Létal 

Mó jinnenn etq batq-ó prijos-atf tó satcwiann-atf vr vordq tó loke.
Tqes denne whéke tó setrum-st tó zu xradóva-ó vr yóba-st.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
All people are born free and equal in worth and rights.
They have reason and conscience and should act in brotherhood.

(Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

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