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Each word in Caer can optionally take one of two pitch contours: falling ('''{{sc|t₁}}''') or rising ('''{{sc|t₂}}'''). The falling contour ('''{{sc|t₁}}''') ends with creaky voice. Although lexically and grammatically important, it is not indicated in the orthography. | Each word in Caer can optionally take one of two pitch contours: falling ('''{{sc|t₁}}''') or rising ('''{{sc|t₂}}'''). The falling contour ('''{{sc|t₁}}''') ends with creaky voice. Although lexically and grammatically important, it is not indicated in the orthography. | ||
A common minimal pair given in literature is: ''yayaq'' [ | A common minimal pair given in literature is: ''yayaq'' [ˈjæˌə̯æ̰q˥˩] ‘divination’ and ''yayaq'' [ˈjæˌə̯æq˩˥] ‘calamity’. | ||
===Phonotactics=== | ===Phonotactics=== | ||
<!-- Explain the consonant clusters and vowel clusters that are permissible for use in the language. For example, "st" is an allowed consonant cluster in English while onset "ng" isn't. --> | <!-- Explain the consonant clusters and vowel clusters that are permissible for use in the language. For example, "st" is an allowed consonant cluster in English while onset "ng" isn't. --> | ||
Revision as of 03:25, 10 January 2015
Caer (caer [qæɪ̯ʐ] or caeryn [ˈqæjɪˌʐjən] is the ceremonial sacred language of the Vá people. Its use is nowadays primarily restricted to the rituals of lyaa ('libation') and yayaq (‘divination’) although historically it saw much more use. It is remarkable for being typologically dissimilar to Vánic language with differing morphosyntactic agreement and word order.
Phonology
Caer has an interesting phonological system, completely lacking rounded and back vowels.
Consonants
Vowels
There are three phonemic vowels in Caer: a /æ/, e /ɪ/, y /ə/.
Pitch
Each word in Caer can optionally take one of two pitch contours: falling (t₁) or rising (t₂). The falling contour (t₁) ends with creaky voice. Although lexically and grammatically important, it is not indicated in the orthography.
A common minimal pair given in literature is: yayaq [ˈjæˌə̯æ̰q˥˩] ‘divination’ and yayaq [ˈjæˌə̯æq˩˥] ‘calamity’.