Spaamanian
Spaamanian is also the proper adjectival form of Spaam in English. For example, 'a Spaamanian woman', not, 'a Spaamian woman'.
Contents
Overview
Spaamanian is one of two official languages in the United Territories of Spaam, along with English. English is easily the dominant language in the nation, due to the international popularity of English, and the increasing international and multicultural population of Spaam. However, a law was passed in 2101 that all children must learn at least one year of Spaamanian in primary school, ensuring the survival of Spaamanian. According to a census taken in 2100, around 15% of the population spoke Spaamanian as a first language, with a third of those speaking it as their only first language. Around 55% spoke Spaamanian as at least a second language, compared to 90% with English. Spaamanian is more predominant in East Spaam, where it shares almost equal status with English.
History
Over two thousand years ago, the area now known as Spaam was divided among tens of tribes, or nations, each speaking a different language. The largest and most traveled of these were known as the 'Spaamaan', and were situated on the south coast of Spaam, to the East of the capital, Artanis. During trade, the most popular common language was the language of the Spaamaans, now known as Old Spaamanian. When Spaam was colonised by the Ineptians around two thousand years ago, along with English, they invariably learnt Old Spaamanian, which increased the popularity of the language throughout the land. Though Old Spaamanian, and eventually Spaamanian, was at first the most popular language throughout the gradually uniting nationstate, English was increasing in use, with the two languages in roughly equal use around 1500. By 2000, English had become the dominant language, with Spaamanian in 'mortal' danger, even though it was declared an official language with equal status in the creation of the United Territories. However, with the 'Native Language Protection Act' of 2101, which, among other measures, ensured that all Spaamanian children would learn Spaamanian to a conversational level, the language was given a new lease of life. It is currently experiencing an increase in speakers, something which has not occurred for almost a thousand years.
Phonology
There are twenty-two consonantal phonemes in Spaamanian, presented here with typical English spelling and IPA symbol:
b [b], c [ʃ], d [d], dz [ð], f [f], g [g], h [h], k [k], l [l], m [m], n [n], ng [ŋ], p [p], q [x], r [r], s [s], t [t], ts [θ], v [v], w [w], y [j], z [z].
There are six vowel phonemes: a [ə/a], aa [ɑ], e [e], i [i], o [o], u [u]. 'a' is pronounced [a] when stressed, and [ə] otherwise.
