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'''Letaale''' [leˈtaːle] is a constructed secret language used by ''tahu'', members of the ''Tagahu'', a secretive and technologically advanced male-only military force governing the known parts of the space habitat Oru. Little is known of the designer(s) of the language however its use follows a long tradition. It is taught to all ''kia tahu'' (boys who are raised to be ''tahu'') from a young age, adhering to a strict prescriptive standard. All speakers are male and all are also fluent in [[Guaru]], generally speaking both natively. In informal situations, many Tahu engage in extensive code switching.
{{privatelang}}
'''Letaale''' [leˈtaːle] is a constructed secret language used by ''tahu'', members of the ''tagahu'', a secretive and technologically advanced male-only military government ruling the known parts of the space habitat Oru. Little is known of the designer(s) of the language however its use follows a long tradition. It is taught to all ''hiitaahii'' (boys who are raised to be tahu) from a young age, adhering to a strict prescriptive standard. As far as is known, all speakers are male and all are also fluent in [[Guaru]], generally speaking both natively. In informal situations, many tahu engage in extensive code switching.
 
Tahu is a built on a system of triconsonantal noun roots and trivocalic verb roots with a system of conversion from one form to the other based on consonant-vowel pairs. With few exceptions, each word is a clause on its own and longer sentences are formed by stringing these clause-words together, with word order mostly constrained only by pragmatic considerations.


==Name==
==Name==


The name Letaale comes from the lemma-clause '''''letaale''''' meaning "the Letaale speaker speaks Letaale". This is not the name of the language but is used to refer to speaking the language, such as '''''nemaane''''' ("I speak Letaale"). The name of the language in Letaale, although used rarely, is '''xialetaale''' [ʔialeˈtaːle], which uses the naming prefix ''xia-'' for abstract things.
The name Letaale comes from the trisyllabic lemma '''''letaale''''' literally meaning "the Letaale speaker speaks Letaale". This is not the name of the language as such but is used to refer to speaking the language, as in '''''nemaane''''' ("I speak Letaale"). The name of the language in Letaale, although used rarely, is '''''xialetaale''''' [ʔialeˈtaːle], which uses the identifier prefix ''xia-'' for abstract things.


In the [[Guaru]] language, Letaale is known as ''Uoriuo'' [ˈ(ʔ)uoɾiˌuo]. This is probably borrowed from the word '''''volivo''''' [ˈvolivo]~[ˈwoɾiwo] which is essentially the accusative form of "you" (literally "you are directly affected") as this may be a word that is heard in interactions with the ''Tagahu''.
In the [[Guaru]] language, Letaale is known as ''guaru ttahu'' [ˈŋuaɾu ˈtːahu] or simply "language of the tahu". It is also known as  ''uoriuo'' [ˈ(ʔ)uoɾiˌuo]. This is probably borrowed from the word '''''volivo''''' [ˈvolivo]~[ˈwoɾiwo] which is essentially the accusative form of "you" (literally "you are physically affected") as this may be a word that is heard in interactions with the ''tagahu''.


==Phonology==
==Phonology==
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! Nasal  
! Nasal  
| m || n || || ŋ ||
| m || n || || ŋ ||
! < m n g >
! ⟨ m n g ⟩
|- align=center
|- align=center
! Plosive  
! Plosive  
| || t || || k || ʔ
| || t~d || || k~g || ʔ
! < t k x >
! ⟨ t k x ⟩
|- align=center
|- align=center
! Fricative  
! Fricative  
| v || s || ʒ || || h
| rowspan=2 | v~w
! < v s j h >
| s~z
| rowspan=2 | ʒ~j
| || h
! rowspan=2 | ⟨ v s j h ⟩
|- align=center
! Semivowel
| || ||
|- align=center
|- align=center
! Lateral
! Liquid
| || l || || ||
| || l~ɾ || || ||
! < l >
! ⟨ l ⟩
|}
|}


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* All of /n t l/ are usually dental but may also be alveolar.
* All of /n t l/ are usually dental but may also be alveolar.
* Both /t/ and /k/ are unaspirated.   
* Both /t/ and /k/ are unaspirated.   
* The consonants /t k s/ may be pronounced as voiced /d g z/, especially when non-initial.
* The consonants /t k s/ may be pronounced as voiced [d g z], especially when non-initial.
* /v/ has a wide range of pronunciation, being essentially anywhere in the realm of [v β ʋ w] although it tightens towards [v] when either of the adjacent vowels is is /u/.
* /v/ has a wide range of pronunciation, being essentially anywhere in the realm of [v β ʋ w] although it generally tightens towards [β] or [v] when either of the adjacent vowels is is /u/. It may be romanised as either ⟨v⟩ or ⟨w⟩. The former is used here.
* /ʒ/ likewise has a range of pronunciations, somewhere in the viscinity of [ʒ ʑ ʐ ʝ]. When either of the adjacent vowels is /i/, /ʒ/ is usually pronounced tenser and less likely to appear as [ʝ].
* /ʒ/ likewise has a range of pronunciations, somewhere in the viscinity of [j ʝ ʑ ʒ ʐ]. When either of the adjacent vowels is /i/, /ʒ/ is usually pronounced tenser and with more friction, further from [j] or [ʝ].
* /l/ may be pronounced as a lateral [l], a tap/flap [ɾ] or a lateral flap [ɺ]
* /l/ may be pronounced as a lateral [l], a tap/flap [ɾ] or a lateral flap [ɺ]. It may be romanised as either ⟨l⟩ or ⟨r⟩, with the former preferred here.


===Vowels===
===Vowels===
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When stressed, these vowels have the tense cardinal pronunciations of [i e a o u]. When unstressed and short, they tend to weaken towards [ɪ ɛ ɐ ɔ ʊ].
When stressed, these vowels have the tense cardinal pronunciations of [i e a o u]. When unstressed and short, they tend to weaken towards [ɪ ɛ ɐ ɔ ʊ].


Long vowels are indicated in the romanisation by doubling.  
Long vowels are indicated in the romanisation either by by doubling or using macrons ⟨ā ē ī ō ū⟩. The doubling method is used here.  


In addition, there are the diphthongs /ai au eo ia io iu oe ua ue ui/.
In addition, there are the diphthongs /ai au eo ia io iu oe ua ue ui/.
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===Phonotactics===
===Phonotactics===


The allowable syllable structure of Letaale is CV(V). All syllables begin with a consonant and may contain one or two vowels (long vowels and diphthongs count as two). All combinations of consonant and vowel are allowed.  
The allowable syllable structure of Letaale is <code>CV(V)</code> (C = consonant, V = vowel). All syllables begin with a consonant and may contain one or two vowels, if counting long vowels and diphthongs as two. All combinations of consonant and vowel are allowed and no vowel-initial syllables are permitted.


===Prosody===
===Prosody===


Word stress falls on the last long vowel or diphthong in a word. If all the vowels are short, stress falls on the initial syllable. Prefixes and initial clitics, all of which contain a diphthong other than /ai/, are never stressed.
In words without a prefix or infix, word stress falls on the last long vowel or diphthong in a word. If all the vowels are short, stress falls on the first syllable. Prefixes, all of which contain a secondary vowel (i.e. a diphthong other than /ai/), are never stressed. Infixes are placed immediately following the stressed vowel in a word. They are generally unstressed, but when emphasised will "steal" the word stress from the preceding syllable.


==Morphophonology==
==Morphophonology==
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Each of the eleven primary vowels is associated with a single consonant and vice versa. These pairs are relevant for ''inversions'' and ''conversions'' in trisyllabic word-clauses, such as the noun '''k_j_m_''' ('the dog') which converts to the verb '''_uu_o_i''' ('be a dog').
Each of the eleven primary vowels is associated with a single consonant and vice versa. These pairs are relevant for ''inversions'' and ''conversions'' in trisyllabic word-clauses, such as the noun '''k_j_m_''' ('the dog') which converts to the verb '''_uu_o_i''' ('be a dog').


{| class="bluetable lightbluebg sortable"
{| class="bluetable lightbluebg sortable"
|- align=center
|- align=center
! Consonant !! Vowel !! Syllable
! Consonant<br />(noun form) !! !!  Vowel<br />(verb form) !! !! Syllable<br />(lemma)
|- align=center
|- align=center
| n || a || na
| n || ↔ ||  a || → || '''na'''
|- align=center
|- align=center
| l || e || le
| l || ↔ || e || → || '''le'''
|- align=center
|- align=center
| m || i || mi
| m || ↔ || i || → || '''mi'''
|- align=center
|- align=center
| j || o || jo
| j || ↔ || o || → || '''jo'''
|- align=center
|- align=center
| g || u || gu
| g || ↔ || u || → || '''gu'''
|- align=center
|- align=center
| t || aa || taa
| t || ↔ || aa || → || '''taa'''
|- align=center
|- align=center
| x || ee || xee
| x || ↔ || ee || → || '''xee'''
|- align=center
|- align=center
| h || ii || hii
| h || ↔ || ii || → || '''hii'''
|- align=center
|- align=center
| s || oo || soo
| s || ↔ || oo || → || '''soo'''
|- align=center
|- align=center
| k || uu || kuu
| k || ↔ || uu || → || '''kuu'''
|- align=center
|- align=center
| v || ai || vai
| v || ↔ || ai || → || '''vai'''
|}
|}


All trisyllabic lemmas are composed of three of the resulting syllables. For example '''''jotaale''''' is allowable as a lemma whereas '''''jitaale''''' is not because '''j''' and '''i''' are not a pair.
All trisyllabic lemmas are composed of three of the resulting syllables. For example '''''jotaale''''' is allowable as a lemma whereas '''''jitaale''''' is not because '''j''' and '''i''' are not a pair.


Secondary vowels are not associated with any particular consonant and only appear in clitics and naming prefixes. These prefixes are always unstressed.
Secondary vowels are not associated with any particular consonant and only appear in infixes and identifier prefixes. These prefixes are always unstressed.


==Morphology==
==Morphology==


===Trisyllabic lemmas===
===Trisyllabics===
 
The majority of words in Letaale consist of three syllables and are thus called ''trisyllabics''. Each trisyllabic consists of two ''triphonemic'' roots:
# a '''noun root''' (or subject root), which consists of three consonants (triconsonantal), for example '''m_g_v_''' "banana", and
# a '''verb root''', which consists of three vowels (trivocalic), counting the long vowels and the diphthong /ai/ as one vowel each, for example '''_i_u_ai''' "be a banana".
 
Because all trisyllabics contain a subject and a verb, each one constitutes an entire clause in its own right.


The majority of lemmas (citation forms of words) are trisyllabic. These always constitute a valid clause on their own, a ''word-clause'', containing both a triconsonantal noun as the subject and a trivocalic verb as the predicate. Trisyllabic lemma clauses are always, by definition, self-evidently true sentences of the structure "the X is an X" (or "that which X-es X-es"), and therefore rather void of pragmatic purpose. Here are some examples of trisyllabic roots in their lemma forms.
Lemmas (citation forms) of trisyllabics consist of a noun root together with its equivalent verb root. These are related by the one-to-one correspondence of consonants to ''[[Letaale#Morphophonology|primary vowels]]'', meaning that lemmas consist only of the syllables '''na''', '''taa''', '''le''', '''xee''', '''mi''', '''hii''', '''jo''', '''soo''', '''gu''', '''kuu''', and '''vai'''. Like all trisyllabics, lemmas make up a valid clause on their own, however, the relationship between noun forms and verb forms is consistent to the the point that trisyllabic lemmas are always, by definition, self-evidently true sentences of the structure "the X is an X" (or "that which X-es X-es"), and therefore mostly rather void of pragmatic purpose. Here are some examples of trisyllabic roots in their lemma forms.




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| '''''vailevai''''' || You are you. || '''''v_l_v_''''' || you || '''''_ai_e_ai''''' || be you
| '''''vailevai''''' || You are you. || '''''v_l_v_''''' || you || '''''_ai_e_ai''''' || be you
|-  
|-  
| '''''taaguhii''''' || The ''tahu''* is a ''tahu''. || '''''t_g_h_''''' || ''tahu'', he || '''''_aa_u_ii''''' || be a ''tahu''
| '''''taaguhii''''' || The ''taaguhii''* is a ''taaguhii''. || '''''t_g_h_''''' || ''taaguhii'', he || '''''_aa_u_ii''''' || be ''taaguhii''
|-
|-
| '''''hiitaahii''''' || The ''kia tahu''** is a ''kia tahu''. || '''''h_t_h_''''' || the ''kia tahu'', he || '''''_ii_aa_ii''''' || be a ''kia tahu''
| '''''hiitaahii''''' || The ''hiitaahii''** is a ''hiitaahii''. || '''''h_t_h_''''' || ''hiitaahii'', he || '''''_ii_aa_ii''''' || be ''hiitaahii''
|-
|-
| '''''levaile''''' || The woman is a woman. || '''''l_v_l_''''' || the woman, she || '''''_e_ai_e''''' || be a woman
| '''''levaile''''' || The woman is a woman. || '''''l_v_l_''''' || woman, she || '''''_e_ai_e''''' || be woman
|-
|-
| '''''soovaigu''''' || The civilian man is a civilian man. || '''''s_v_g_''''' || the civilian man, he || '''''_o_ai_u''''' || be a civilian man
| '''''soovaigu''''' || The civilian man is a civilian man. || '''''s_v_g_''''' || civilian man, he || '''''_o_ai_u''''' || be civilian man
|-
|-
| '''''kuumixee''''' || The monkey is a monkey. || '''''k_m_x_''''' || the monkey || '''''_uu_i_ee''''' || be a monkey
| '''''kuumixee''''' || The monkey is a monkey. || '''''k_m_x_''''' || monkey || '''''_uu_i_ee''''' || be monkey
|-
|-
| '''''kuujomi''''' || The dog is a dog. || '''''k_j_m_''''' || the dog || '''''_uu_o_i''''' || be a dog
| '''''kuujomi''''' || The dog is a dog. || '''''k_j_m_''''' || dog || '''''_uu_o_i''''' || be dog
|-
|-
| '''''minataa''''' || The cat is a cat. || '''''m_n_t_''''' || the cat || '''''_i_a_aa''''' || be a cat
| '''''minataa''''' || The cat is a cat. || '''''m_n_t_''''' || cat || '''''_i_a_aa''''' || be cat
|-
|-
| '''''vaijokuu''''' || The bird is a bird. || '''''v_j_k_''''' || the bird || '''''_ai_o_uu''''' || be a bird
| '''''vaijokuu''''' || The bird is a bird. || '''''v_j_k_''''' || bird || '''''_ai_o_uu''''' || be bird
|-
|-
| '''''milena''''' || The fish is a fish. || '''''m_l_n_''''' || the fish || '''''_i_e_a''''' || be a fish
| '''''milena''''' || The fish is a fish. || '''''m_l_n_''''' || fish || '''''_i_e_a''''' || be fish
|-
|-
| '''''miguvai''''' || The banana is a banana. || '''''m_g_v_''''' || the banana || '''''_i_u_ai''''' || be a banana
| '''''miguvai''''' || The banana is a banana. || '''''m_g_v_''''' || banana || '''''_i_u_ai''''' || be banana
|-
|-
| '''''jomijo''''' || The affected one is affected. || '''''j_m_j_''''' || the affected one || '''''_o_i_o''''' || be affected
| '''''jomijo''''' || The physically affected one is physically affected. || '''''j_m_j_''''' || physically affected one || '''''_o_i_o''''' || be physcally affected
|-
|-
| '''''lejole''''' || The perceiver perceives. || '''''l_j_l_''''' || the perceiver || '''''_e_o_e''''' || perceive
| '''''lejole''''' || The perceiver perceives. || '''''l_j_l_''''' || perceiver || '''''_e_o_e''''' || perceive
|-
|-
| '''''lesoomi''''' || The sleeper sleeps. || '''''l_s_m_''''' || the sleeper, the sleeping one || '''''_e_oo_i''''' || sleep
| '''''lesoomi''''' || The sleeper sleeps. || '''''l_s_m_''''' || sleeper, sleeping one || '''''_e_oo_i''''' || sleep
|-
|-
| '''''xeenami''''' || The eater eats. || '''''x_n_m_''''' || the eater, the eating one || '''''_ee_a_i''''' || eat
| '''''xeenami''''' || The eater eats. || '''''x_n_m_''''' || eater, eating one || '''''_ee_a_i''''' || eat
|-
|-
| '''''kuunagu''''' || The hitter hits. || '''''k_n_g_''''' || the hitter, the hitting one || '''''_uu_a_u''''' || hit
| '''''kuunagu''''' || The hitter hits. || '''''k_n_g_''''' || hitter, hitting one || '''''_uu_a_u''''' || hit
|-
|-
| '''''gunagu''''' || The killer kills. || '''''g_n_g_''''' || the killer, the murderer || '''''_u_a_u''''' || kill
| '''''gunagu''''' || The killer kills. || '''''g_n_g_''''' || killer, murderer || '''''_u_a_u''''' || kill, murder
|-
|-
| '''''taanagu''''' || The big one is big. || '''''t_n_g_''''' || the big one || '''''_aa_a_u''''' || be big
| '''''taanagu''''' || The big one is big. || '''''t_n_g_''''' || big one || '''''_aa_a_u''''' || be big
|-
|-
| '''''hiijole''''' || The beloved one is beloved. || '''''h_j_l_''''' || the (be)loved one || '''''_ii_o_e''''' || be (be)loved
| '''''hiijole''''' || The beloved one is beloved. || '''''h_j_l_''''' || (be)loved one || '''''_ii_o_e''''' || be (be)loved
|-
|-
| '''''vaimina''''' || The visible one is visible. || '''''v_m_n_''''' || the visible one || '''''_ai_i_a''''' || be visible
| '''''vaimina''''' || The visible one is visible. || '''''v_m_n_''''' || visible one || '''''_ai_i_a''''' || be visible
|-
|-
| '''''hiimijo''''' || This one is here. || '''''h_m_j_''''' || the one near me || '''''_ii_i_o''''' || be near me
| '''''hiimijo''''' || This one is here. || '''''h_m_j_''''' || one near me || '''''_ii_i_o''''' || be near me
|-
|-
| '''''xeenajo''''' || That one is there. || '''''x_n_j_''''' || the one near you || '''''_ee_a_o''''' || be near you
| '''''xeenajo''''' || That one is there. || '''''x_n_j_''''' || one near you || '''''_ee_a_o''''' || near you
|-
|-
| '''''taamitaa''''' || What is what? || '''''t_m_t_''''' || what, who, which  || '''''_aa_i_aa''''' || be what, be who, which?
| '''''taamitaa''''' || What is what? || '''''t_m_t_''''' || what, who, which  || '''''_aa_i_aa''''' || be what, be who, which?
|}
|}
* A ''tahu'' is a man who is a member of the ''Tagahu'', roughly the militarised police force and government of Oru.
** ''Kia tahu'' is the Guaru term for a future ''tahu'', a boy raised to be a ''tahu''.


===Naming words===
===Identifiers===
 
Identifiers are generally equivalent to proper nouns. They consist of one (or, occasionally, more than one) classifying prefix, which indicates various classes of people and things, followed by a trisyllabic.
 
For example, the personal name '''''Tuakuumoxu''''' consists of the prefix '''''Tua-''''', indicating a tahu in active duty (a ''taaguhii''), followed by the trisyllabic '''''kuumoxu''''', meaning "the monkey plays" ('''k_m_x_''' "the monkey" + '''uu_o_u''' "play").
 
Prefixes for personal names often change during an individual's lifetime. When '''''Tuakuumoxu''''' retires from active duty and enters administration, his name will become '''''Xuakuumoxu''''', with the prefix '''''Xua-'''''indicating a tahu in an administrative role. The vocative prefix generally replaces any other prefix although it can sometimes be stacked on to the beginning. For example, the vocative form of '''''Tuakuumoxu''''' may be '''''Xoekuumoxu''''' or '''''Xoetuakuumoxu'''''.
 
Identifiers are also used for more specific descriptions of things than are available with trisyllabics, such as names of specific types of plants and animals, towns, rivers, hills and other topographical features, rock types, metals, foods etc.
 
{| class="bluetable lightbluebg sortable"
|+ Identifier Prefixes
|-
! Prefix !! Use
|-
| '''hau-''' || geography: topographic features such as rivers, hills, cliffs, valleys
|-
| '''jua-''' || personal names of ''taajona'', equivalent to generals/commanders in the ''tagahu''
|-
| '''jui-'''  || personal names of ''nahiixee'', a partner or long-term-guest of a ''tahu''
|-
| '''kiu-''' || personal names of civilian women who are not ''nahiixee''
|-
| '''kui-''' || inanimate physical objects
|-
| '''lua-''' || personal names of the daughters of ''tahu''
|-
| '''mui-''' || edible things
|-
| '''nia-''' || motile animals (Animals may also sometimes take ''mui-'' or ''kui-'' prefixes.)
|-
| '''niu-''' || personal names of civilian children
|-
| '''nui-''' || personal names of ''hiitaahii'', boys raised to be ''tahu''. It is also used for men who have failed initiation into the ''tagahu''
|-
| '''teo-''' || geography: ''migutaa'', tubes within ''Oru''
|-
| '''tua-''' || personal names of ''taaguhii'', ''tahu'' in active duty
|-
| '''xau-''' || abstract qualities
|-
| '''xia-''' || abstract things
|-
| '''xio-''' || personal names of civilian men who are not ''nahiixee''
|-
| '''xoe-''' || vocative indicator prefix for personal names (It may attach directly to the indicator's trisyllabic or, more formally, before another indicator prefix.)
|-
| '''xua-''' || personal names of ''xeeguhii'', ''tahu'' in an administrative role
|-
| '''xue-''' || geography: towns
|-
| '''xui-''' || onomatopoeia, loanwords and direct quotation of one trisyllabic
|}
 
===Infixes===
 
Infixes in Letaale are single-syllable morphemes beginning with a consonant and containing secondary vowels which contribute grammatical information in a sentence. They are inserted into the word they refer to (or into the first word in a phrase that they refer to), which is termed the "host", directly after the stressed syllable. They may, themselves be unstressed, but can also be stressed for emphasis, taking the primary stress away from the syllable before it.
 
{| class="bluetable lightbluebg sortable"
|+ Proclitics
|-
! Clitic !! Gloss !! Use !! Example !! Counterpart
|-
| '''hua''' || <small>Q</small> || question infix, turns the word it is attached to (ie. its "host") into a yes/no question || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">hua</span>lavi?'''''<br />"<span style="color:blue">Do you</span> eat<span style="color:blue">?</span>" || '''''hua'''''
|-
| '''leo''' || <small>NEG</small> || negative infix, "not", negates its host || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">leo</span>lavi.'''''<br />"You <span style="color:blue">do not</span> eat." || '''''gui'''''
|-
| '''gui''' || <small>AFF</small> || affirmative infix, "indeed", emphatically affirms its host || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">gui</span>lavi.'''''<br />"You ''<span style="color:blue">do</span>'' eat." ||  '''''loe'''''
|-
| '''heo''' || <small>NEG</small>.<small>Q</small> || negative question infix, "not?", turns its host into a question with an expected negative answer || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">heo</span>lavi?'''''<br />"You <span style="color:blue">don't</span> eat, <span style="color:blue">do you?</span>" || '''''hui'''''
|-
| '''hui''' || <small>AFF</small>.<small>Q</small> || affirmative question infix, "indeed?", turns its host into a question with an expected affirmative answer || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">hui</span>lavi.'''''<br />"You <span style="color:blue">do</span> eat, <span style="color:blue">don't you?" || '''''heo'''''
|-
| '''tui''' || <small>FOC</small> || focus infix, indicates its host is the focus of the sentence, the new information that is being claimed || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">tui</span>lavi'''''<br />"(<span style="color:blue">the thing is:</span>) you eat" || '''''nau'''''
|-
| '''nau''' || <small>TOP</small> || topic infix, indicates its host is the topic of the sentence, known information about which something is claimed in the focus || '''''vee<span style="color:blue">nau</span>lavi'''''<br />"(<span style="color:blue">as for the fact that</span>) you eat" || '''''tui'''''
|-
| '''xeo''' || <small>IMP</small> || imperative infix, indicates its host is an imperative phrase, an order to do or be something || '''''vee<span style="color:blue">xeo</span>lavi'''''<br />"<span style="color:blue">Eat!</span>" || '''''geo'''''
|-
| '''geo''' || <small>NEG.IMP</small> || negative imperative infix, indicates its host is a negative imperative phrase, an order not to do or be something || '''''vee<span style="color:blue">geo</span>lavi'''''<br />"<span style="color:blue">Don't</span> eat!" || '''''xeo'''''
|-
| '''kia''' || <small>OPT</small> || optative infix, indicates its host is an intended or desired situation || '''''vee<span style="color:blue">kia</span>lavi'''''<br />"You <span style="color:blue">should</span> eat." || '''''keo'''''
|-
| '''keo''' || <small>NEG.OPT</small> || negative optative infix, indicates its host is a situation which is not desired || '''''vee<span style="color:blue">keo</span>lavi'''''<br />"You <span style="color:blue">should not</span> eat." || '''''kia'''''
|-
| '''sau''' || or || inclusive disjunctive infix, "or", "and/or", indicates an alternative which is not exclusive || '''''vee<span style="color:blue">sau</span>lavi vilaivaa<span style="color:blue">sau</span>'''''<br />"you (<span style="color:blue">either</span>) eat <span style="color:blue">or</span> you dance (<span style="color:blue">or both</span>)" || '''''sau'''''
|-
| '''tau''' || <small>XOR</small> || exclusive disjunctive infix, "or" "or ... but not both", indicates an exclusive alternative || '''''vee<span style="color:blue">tau</span>lavi vilaivaa<span style="color:blue">tau</span>'''''<br />"you (<span style="color:blue">either</span>) eat <span style="color:blue">or</span> you dance (<span style="color:blue">but not both</span>)" || '''''tau'''''
|-
| '''tia''' || although || causal adversative infix, "although", "even though", indicates the context under which some other fact is unexpected or contrastive || '''''vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">jeo</span>) vee<span style="color:blue">tia</span>lavi'''''<br />"you dance <span style="color:blue">although</span> you eat" || '''''jeo'''''
|-
| '''jeo''' || but || effective adversative infix, "but", "however", "nevertheless", indicates something surprising given another fact or situation || '''''vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">tia</span>) vee<span style="color:blue">jeo</span>lavi'''''<br />"you dance, <span style="color:blue">but</span> you eat" || '''''tia'''''
|-
| '''vui''' || and || simultaneous conjunctive infix, "and", indicates a simultaneous addition || '''''vee<span style="color:blue">vui</span>lavi vilaivaa<span style="color:blue">vui</span>'''''<br />"you eat <span style="color:blue">and</span> dance (<span style="color:blue">at the same time</span>)" || '''''vui'''''
|-
| '''nua''' || first || initial conjunctive infix, "first", "initially", indicates its host occurs first in a sequence || '''''vee<span style="color:blue">nua</span>lavi vilaivaa<span style="color:red">sua</span>'''''<br />"<span style="color:blue">first</span> you eat, then you dance" || '''sua'''
|-
| '''sua''' || subsequently || subsequent conjunctive infix, "then", "subsequently", indicates an addition that follows in time || '''''vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">nua</span>) vee<span style="color:blue">sua</span>lavi'''''<br />"you dance, <span style="color:blue">then</span> you eat" || '''''vui'''''
|-
| '''kua''' || when || simultaneous punctual temporal infix, "when", indicates that another event or situation occurs at the same time as what is marked with '''kua'''  || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">kua</span>lavi vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">tui</span>).'''''<br />"<span style="color:blue">When</span> you eat, you dance." || '''''tui''''' / '''''nau''''' / '''''kua''''' / '''''jau'''''
|-
| '''jau''' || while || simultaneous continuous temporal infix, "while", indicates that its host is the temporal context for for another event or situation || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">jau</span>lavi vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">tui</span>)'''''<br />"<span style="color:blue">While</span> you're dancing, you eat." || '''''tui''''' / '''''nau''''' / '''''kua''''' / '''''jau'''''
|-
| '''mua''' || before || antetemporal punctual infix, "before", indicates that its host comes ''after'' another event or situation || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">mua</span>lavi vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">tui</span>).'''''<br />"<span style="color:blue">Before</span> you dance, you eat." || '''''tui''''' / '''''nau''''' / '''''nio'''''
|-
| '''goe''' || until || antetemporal continuous infix, "until", indicates that its host represents the end point of another event or situation || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">goe</span>lavi vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">tui</span>).'''''<br />"<span style="color:blue">Until</span> you dance, you eat." || '''''tui''''' / '''''nau'''''
|-
| '''nio''' || after || posttemporal punctual infix, "after", indicates that its host comes ''before'' another event or situation || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">nio</span>lavi vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">tui</span>).'''''<br />"After you eat, you dance." || '''''tui''''' / '''''nau''''' / '''''mua'''''
|-
| '''joe''' || since || posttemporal continuous infix, "since", "from", indicates that its host represents the starting point of another event or situation || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">joe</span>lavi vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">tui</span>).'''''<br />"<span style="color:blue">Since</span> you ate, you've been dancing."<br />"<span style="color:blue">From the time when</span> you eat, you're going to dance." || '''''tui''''' / '''''nau'''''
|-
| '''gua''' || because || specific causal infix, "because", "since", "as", indicates that its host is the cause of another event or situation || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">gua</span>lavi vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">tui</span>).'''''<br />"<span style="color:blue">Because</span> you eat, you dance." || '''''tui''''' / '''''nau''''' / '''''noe'''''
|-
| '''noe''' || therefore || specific effective infix, "therefore", "so", indicates that its host is the effect caused by another event or situation || '''''Vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">gua</span>) vee<span style="color:blue">noe</span>lavi.'''''<br />"You've been dancing; therefore, you eat." || '''''tui''''' / '''''nau''''' / '''''gua'''''
|-
| '''vue''' || if.<small>REAL</small> || generic/potential causal infix, "if", indicates that its host, ''if it does turn out to be the case'', is the cause of another event or situation || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">vue</span>lavi vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">jue</span>).'''''<br />"<span style="color:blue">If</span> you eat, (then) you dance." || '''''jue'''''
|-
| '''jue''' || then.<small>REAL</small> || generic/potential effective infix, "then", indicates that its host is the effect caused by another ''possible'' event or situation || '''''Vee<span style="color:red">vue</span>lavi vilaivaa<span style="color:blue">jue</span>.'''''<br />"If you eat, (then) you dance."  || '''''vue'''''
|-
| '''viu''' || if.<small>IRR</small> || irrealis causal infix, "if", indicates that its host is a ''hypothetical'' event or situation that, ''if it were true'', would the cause of another event or situation || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">viu</span>lavi vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">jiu</span>).'''''<br />"<span style="color:blue">If</span> you <span style="color:blue">ate</span>, (then) you would dance." || '''''jiu'''''
|-
| '''jiu''' || then.<small>IRR</small> || irrealis effective clitic, "then", "would" indicates that its host would be the effect caused by another ''hypothetical'' event or situation || '''''Vee<span style="color:red">jiu</span>lavi vilaivaa<span style="color:blue">jiu</span>.'''''<br />"If you ate, (<span style="color:blue">then</span>) you <span style="color:blue">would</span> dance." || '''''viu'''''
|-
| '''gau''' || preparatively || telic causal clitic, indicates that its host is done in preparation in order to achieve another event or situation || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">gau</span>lavi vilaivaa<span style="color:red">neo</span>.'''''<br />"You eat (<span style="color:blue">preparatively</span>) in order to dance." || '''''neo'''''
|-
| '''neo''' || so.that || telic effective clitic, "so that", "in order that", indicates that its host is the intended goal behind another event or situation || '''''Vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">gau</span>) vee<span style="color:blue">neo</span>lavi.'''''<br />"You dance <span style="color:blue">in order</span> to eat." || '''''vue'''''
|}
 
==Personal pronouns==
 
===First and second persons===
 
Letaale a system of trisyllabic pronouns for the first and second persons.
 
{| class="bluetable lightbluebg"
|-
! Person !! Clusivity !! Stance !! Singular !! Plural
|- align=center
! rowspan=4 | 1st
! rowspan=2 | exclusive<br /><small>of 2nd p.</small>
! guarded
| '''''namina'''''
| '''''mitaami'''''
|- align=center
! vulnerable
| '''''namijo''''' || '''''mitaajo'''''
|- align=center
! rowspan=2 | inclusive<br /><small>of 2nd p.</small>
! guarded
| -
| '''''vainami'''''
|-  align=center
! vulnerable
| - || '''''vainajo'''''
|- align=center
! 2nd
! -
! -
| '''''vailevai'''''
| '''''xeevaile'''''
|}
 
Stance indicates the approach of the speaker towards the addressee. The vulnerable stance pronouns indicate a kind of "weapons down" stance. The singular pronoun '''''namijo''''' must be used when speaking to superiors. It is also used, when off duty, in the presence of close friends, where all use this form and where the inclusive plural form used is '''''vainajo'''''. The plural exclusive form '''''mitaajo''''' is only used when all members of the group referred to would use the vulnerable stance with the addressee — if not, the guarded form '''''mitaami''''' must be used.
 
===Third person===
There are no dedicated third person pronouns. To refer back to an already mentioned third person entity, the triconsonantal noun-form of that word is simply repeated.
 
==Demonstratives==
 
===Spatial demonstratives===
 
Spatial demonstratives are used to indicate things that have a real, physical location in space. They are connected to grammatical persons, with forms indicating proximity to the speaker, proximity to the addressee and proximity to neither. They are frequently accompanied by pointing, which is generally done with the whole hand except when pointing at something very small and close.
 
 
{| class="bluetable lightbluebg sortable"
|+ '''Spatial demonstratives'''
|-
! Lemma !! Translation !! Noun !! Translation !! Verb !! Translation
|-
| '''''hiimijo''''' || The one near me is near me. || '''''h_m_j_''''' || one near me || '''''_ii_i_o''''' || be near me
|-
| '''''xeenajo''''' || The one near you is near you. || '''''x_n_j_''''' || one near you || '''''_ee_a_o''''' || be near you
|-
| '''''kuugujo''''' || The one over there is over there. || '''''k_g_j_''''' || one near me || '''''_uu_u_o''''' || be over there
|}
 
 
Because of the tendency of nominal roots to be interpreted as definite and verbal roots to be interpreted as indefinite, these tend to be equivalent to "this, this, that, those" (ie. ''the'' thing by me, etc.) as nouns and "be here, be there" as verbs (ie. be ''a'' thing by me).
 
When something is equally close to speaker and addressee, such as a building that both are standing in, it is customary for '''''xeenajo''''' to be used among equals and to superiors, with '''''hiimijo''''' used with subordinates.
 
===Discourse demonstratives===
There are two types of discourse demonstrative: future and past.


Naming words are generally equivalent to proper names. They consist of a classifying prefix, which indicates various classes of people and things, followed by a trisyllabic clause-word.  
There is only one form of future demonstrative: that which is associated with the first person. The lemma '''''gumina''''', in its nominal translation, means "that which I am about to say/do" and can be used to introduce another clause as the complementiser "that".


For example, the name ''Tuakuumoxu'' consists of the prefix ''Tua-'', indicating a Tahu in active duty, followed by the trisyllabic word-clause ''kuumoxu'', meaning "the monkey plays" ('''k_m_x_''' "the monkey" + '''uu_o_u''' "play").
Past demonstratives can be used to refer to words, ideas or actions associated with certain grammatical persons. In the third person, there are also rank distinctions.
Prefixes may change over time. When ''Tuakuumoxu'' retires from active duty and enters administration, his name will be prefixed with ''Xua-'', indicating a Tahu in an administrative role.


Rarely, two or more classifying prefixes may be stacked together.
{| class="bluetable lightbluebg sortable"
|+ '''Spatial demonstratives'''
|-
! Person !! Rank !! Lemma !! Nominal Translation
|-
| 1st || all || '''''jonami''''' || "that (which I said/did)"
|-
| 2nd || all || '''''jovaile''''' || "that (which you said/did)"
|-
| rowspan="4" | 3rd || Taajona || '''''jotaajo''''' || "that (which the Taajona said/did)"
|-
| Tahu || '''''jotaagu''''' || "that (which the Tahu said/did)"
|-
| Civilian Man || '''''josoovai''''' || "that (which the civilian man said/did)"
|-
| Woman/Child || '''''jolevai''''' || "that (which the woman said/did)"
|}


==Syntax==
==Syntax==


===Word-clauses===
===Trisyllabic clauses===


Word-clauses consist of a single word, which itself consists of a subject and a verb. These can be created by mixing and matching the consonants (noun form) from one trisyllabic lemma with the vowels (verb form) of another. The following table shows examples and is sortable by column.
Trisyllabic clauses consist of a single trisyllabic, which itself consists of two triphonemic ''roots'' a noun root (or subject root), consisting of three consonants, and a verb root (or predicate root), consisting of three vowels. The following table shows examples and is sortable by column.




{| class="bluetable lightbluebg sortable"
{| class="bluetable lightbluebg sortable"
|-
|-
! Lemma !! Translation !! Noun !! Translation !! Verb !! Translation
! Trisyllabic !! Translation !! Noun !! Translation !! Verb !! Translation
|-
|-
| '''''xaanijaa''''' || What is that? || '''''x_n_j_''''' || the one near you || '''''_aa_i_aa''''' || is what/who?
| '''''xaanijaa''''' || What is that? || '''''x_n_j_''''' || one near you || '''''_aa_i_aa''''' || be what/who?
|-
|-
| '''''himujai''''' || This is a banana. || '''''h_m_j_''''' || the one near me || '''''_i_u_ai''''' || is a banana
| '''''himujai''''' || This is a banana. || '''''h_m_j_''''' || one near me || '''''_i_u_ai''''' || be banana
|-
|-
| '''''huumijee''''' || This is a monkey. || '''''h_m_j_''''' || the one near me || '''''_uu_i_ee''''' || is a monkey
| '''''huumijee''''' || This is a monkey. || '''''h_m_j_''''' || one near me || '''''_uu_i_ee''''' || be monkey
|-
|-
| '''''huumiiji''''' || This is a house. || '''''h_m_j_''''' || the one near me || '''''_uu_ii_i''''' || is a house
| '''''huumiiji''''' || This is a house. || '''''h_m_j_''''' || one near me || '''''_uu_ii_i''''' || be house
|-
|-
| '''''haamijaa''''' || What is this? || '''''h_m_j_''''' || the one near me || '''''_aa_i_aa''''' || is what/who?
| '''''haamijaa''''' || What is this? || '''''h_m_j_''''' || one near me || '''''_aa_i_aa''''' || be what/who?
|-
|-
| '''''xinujai''''' || That is a banana. || '''''x_n_j_''''' || the one near you || '''''_i_u_ai''''' || is a banana
| '''''xinujai''''' || That is a banana. || '''''x_n_j_''''' || one near you || '''''_i_u_ai''''' || be banana
|-
|-
| '''''xuunijee''''' || That is a monkey. || '''''x_n_j_''''' || the one near you || '''''_uu_i_ee''''' || is a monkey
| '''''xuunijee''''' || That is a monkey. || '''''x_n_j_''''' || one near you || '''''_uu_i_ee''''' || be monkey
|-
|-
| '''''xuuniiji''''' || This is a house. || '''''x_n_j_''''' || the one near you || '''''_uu_ii_i''''' || is a house
| '''''xuuniiji''''' || That is a house. || '''''x_n_j_''''' || one near you || '''''_uu_ii_i''''' || be house
|-
|-
| '''''nimunai''''' || I am a banana. || '''''n_m_n_''''' || I || '''''_i_u_ai''''' || am a banana
| '''''nimunai''''' || I am a banana. || '''''n_m_n_''''' || I || '''''_i_u_ai''''' || be banana
|-
|-
| '''''magiva''''' || The banana is me. || '''''m_g_v_''''' || the banana || '''''_a_i_a''''' || is me
| '''''magiva''''' || The banana is me. || '''''m_g_v_''''' || banana || '''''_a_i_a''''' || be me
|-
|-
| '''''viluvai''''' || You are a banana. || '''''v_l_v_''''' || you || '''''_i_u_ai''''' || are a banana
| '''''viluvai''''' || You are a banana. || '''''v_l_v_''''' || you || '''''_i_u_ai''''' || be banana
|-
|-
| '''''maigevai''''' || The banana is you. || '''''m_g_v_''''' || the banana || '''''_ai_e_ai''''' || is you
| '''''maigevai''''' || The banana is you. || '''''m_g_v_''''' || banana || '''''_ai_e_ai''''' || be you
|-
|-
| '''''neemani''''' || I eat. || '''''n_m_n_''''' || I || '''''_ee_a_i''''' || eat
| '''''neemani''''' || I eat. || '''''n_m_n_''''' || I || '''''_ee_a_i''''' || eat
|-
|-
| '''''xanima''''' || The eating one is me. || '''''x_n_m_''''' || the eater || '''''_a_i_a''''' || is me
| '''''xanima''''' || The eating one is me. || '''''x_n_m_''''' || eater || '''''_a_i_a''''' || be me
|-
|-
| '''''veelavi''''' || You eat. || '''''v_l_v_''''' || you || '''''_ee_a_i''''' || eat
| '''''veelavi''''' || You eat. || '''''v_l_v_''''' || you || '''''_ee_a_i''''' || eat
|-
|-
| '''''xainemai''''' || The eating one is you. || '''''x_n_m_''''' || the eater || '''''_ai_e_ai''''' || is you
| '''''xainemai''''' || The eating one is you. || '''''x_n_m_''''' || eater || '''''_ai_e_ai''''' || be you
|-
|-
| '''''keejami''''' || The dog eats. || '''''k_j_m_''''' || the dog || '''''_ee_a_i''''' || eats
| '''''keejami''''' || The dog eats. || '''''k_j_m_''''' || dog || '''''_ee_a_i''''' || eat
|-
|-
| '''''xuunomi''''' || The eating one is a dog. || '''''x_n_m_''''' || the eater || '''''_uu_o_i''''' || is a dog
| '''''xuunomi''''' || The eating one is a dog. || '''''x_n_m_''''' || eater || '''''_uu_o_i''''' || be dog
|-
|-
| '''''kejoomi''''' || The dog sleeps. || '''''k_j_m_''''' || the dog || '''''_e_oo_i''''' || sleeps
| '''''kejoomi''''' || The dog sleeps. || '''''k_j_m_''''' || dog || '''''_e_oo_i''''' || sleep
|-
|-
| '''''kijumai''''' || The dog is a banana. || '''''k_j_m_''''' || the dog || '''''_i_u_ai''''' || is a banana
| '''''kijumai''''' || The dog is a banana. || '''''k_j_m_''''' || dog || '''''_i_u_ai''''' || be banana
|-
|-
| '''''nemone''''' || I perceive. || '''''n_m_n_''''' || I || '''''_e_o_e''''' || perceive
| '''''nemone''''' || I perceive. || '''''n_m_n_''''' || I || '''''_e_o_e''''' || perceive
Line 241: Line 464:
| '''''nameeno''''' || I exist. || '''''n_m_n_''''' || I || '''''_a_ee_o''''' || exist
| '''''nameeno''''' || I exist. || '''''n_m_n_''''' || I || '''''_a_ee_o''''' || exist
|-
|-
| '''''mageevo''''' || The banana exists. || '''''m_g_v_''''' || the banana  || '''''_a_ee_o''''' || exists
| '''''meegovi''''' || The banana exists. || '''''m_g_v_''''' || banana  || '''''_ee_o_i''''' || exist
|-
|-
| '''''nixujai''''' || There is a banana. || '''''n_x_j_''''' || what exists || '''''_i_u_ai''''' || is a banana
| '''''xijumai''''' || There is a banana. || '''''x_j_m_''''' || existing one || '''''_i_u_ai''''' || be banana
|}
|}


Line 249: Line 472:
====Inversion====
====Inversion====


Inversion is the process of swapping the noun and verb within a word-clause. Many of the examples given above are inversions of another given example.  
Inversion is the process of swapping the converting the noun root into a verb root and vice versa within a trisyllabic word. Many of the examples given above are inversions of another given example.  
 
For example, to invert the word '''''veelavi''''' "you eat", the noun root '''v_l_v_''' "you" is converted to its corresponding verb root '''_ai_e_ai''' "be you" and the verb '''_ee_a_i''' "to eat" becomes the noun '''x_n_m_''' "eater". This produces '''xainemai''' "the one that eats is you". Inversion usually results in radically differently looking words with an often fairly subtle shift in pragmatic meaning. '''''Veelavi''''' "you eat" and '''''xainemai''''' "the eater is you" don't share a single phoneme in common, and yet the meanings differ only in terms of topic and focus.
 
===Identifier use===
 
Because identifiers do not have slots available for a noun's consonants or a verb's vowels to fit in, they must accompany a classifying noun or verb which indicates their role in the sentence. The identifier most commonly follows their classifying verb or noun but they can also precede it. For people's names, the most common classifier used is '''''hiilemi''''' "the named one is named".
 
 
:{| class="graytable"
|-
| colspan="20" | '''''Niimeni Xuatonugo.'''''
|-
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈniːmeni ʔua̯ˈtonuŋo]</small>
|-
| '''n_m_n_''' || I  || '''_ii_e_i''' || be named
|- style="font-style: italic; font-size: 90%;"
| '''Xua-'''
| colspan="20" | IDENTIFIER: Name of ''xeeguhii''
|- style="font-style: italic; font-size: 90%;"
| '''t_n_g_'''
| big one
| '''_o_u_o'''
| be strange
|-
| colspan="20" | ''My name is Xuatonugo.''<br />''I am Xuatonugo.''
|}
 
 
:{| class="graytable"
|-
| colspan="20" | '''''Halima Xuatonugo.'''''
|-
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈhalima ʔua̯ˈtonuŋo]</small>
|-
| '''h_l_m_''' || named one  || '''_a_i_a''' || be me
|- style="font-style: italic; font-size: 90%;"
| '''Xua-'''
| colspan="20" | IDENTIFIER: Name of ''xeeguhii''
|- style="font-style: italic; font-size: 90%;"
| '''t_n_g_''' || big one  || '''_o_u_o''' || be strange
|-
| colspan="20" | ''Xuatonugo is me.''
|}
 
 
There are a range of other name classifiers, such as '''''nia-''''', which is used for animals.
 


For example, to invert the word-clause '''''keejami''''' "the dog eats", the noun '''k_j_m_''' "dog" is converted corresponding verb '''_uu_o_i''' "be a dog" and the verb '''_ee_a_i''' "to eat" becomes the noun '''x_n_m_''' "eater". This produces '''xuunomi''' "the one that eats is a dog". Inversion usually results in radically differently looking words with an often fairly subtle shift in pragmatic meaning.
:{| class="graytable"
|-
| colspan="20" | '''''Xaijomuu niamalaixuu malima.'''''
|-
| colspan="20" | <small>[ʔai̯ʒoˈmuː nia̯malai̯ˈʔuː ˈmalima] </small>
|-
| '''x_j_m_''' || an extisting one  || '''_ai_o_uu''' || be a bird
|- style="font-style: italic; font-size: 90%;"
| '''nia-'''
| colspan="20" | ''IDENTIFIER: Name of animal species''
|- style="font-style: italic; font-size: 90%;"
| '''m_l_x_''' || blue one  || '''_a_ai_uu''' || fly high
|-
| '''m_l_m_''' || owner  || '''_a_i_a''' || be me
|-
| colspan="20" | ''I have a hyacinth macaw.''
|}
<br />


===Multiclausal sentences===
===Multiclausal sentences===


Multiclausal sentences are formed by simply placing word-clauses next to one another. Modifiers generally follow their heads but word-clause order is quite flexible, with different orders being used to shift emphasis.
Multiclausal sentences are formed by simply placing trisyllabic word-clauses next to one another. Modifiers generally follow their heads but word order is quite flexible, with different orders being used to shift emphasis.




Line 266: Line 553:
| '''n_m_n_''' || I || '''_a_ai_a''' || cause
| '''n_m_n_''' || I || '''_a_ai_a''' || cause
|-
|-
| '''k_m_x_''' || the monkey  || '''_i_ai_aa''' || dances
| '''k_m_x_''' || monkey  || '''_i_ai_aa''' || dance
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | ''I make the monkey dance.''
| colspan="20" | ''I make the monkey dance.''
Line 274: Line 561:
:{| class="graytable"
:{| class="graytable"
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | '''''Kimaixaa namaina .'''''
| colspan="20" | '''''Kimaixaa namaina.'''''
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | <small>[kimai̯ˈʔaː naˈmai̯na]</small>
| colspan="20" | <small>[kimai̯ˈʔaː naˈmai̯na]</small>
|-
|-
| '''k_m_x_''' || the monkey  || '''_i_ai_aa''' || dances
| '''k_m_x_''' || monkey  || '''_i_ai_aa''' || dance
|-
|-
| '''n_m_n_''' || I || '''_a_ai_a''' || am the cause
| '''n_m_n_''' || I || '''_a_ai_a''' || cause
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | ''The monkey dances (because) I make it.''
| colspan="20" | ''The monkey dances (because) I make it.''
Line 288: Line 575:
:{| class="graytable"
:{| class="graytable"
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | '''''Kimaixaa navina .'''''
| colspan="20" | '''''Kimaixaa navina.'''''
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | <small>[kimai̯ˈʔaː ˈnavina]</small>
| colspan="20" | <small>[kimai̯ˈʔaː ˈnawina]</small>
|-
|-
| '''k_m_x_''' || the monkey  || '''_i_ai_aa''' || dances
| '''k_m_x_''' || monkey  || '''_i_ai_aa''' || dance
|-
|-
| '''n_v_n_''' || the cause || '''_a_i_a''' || is me
| '''n_v_n_''' || cause || '''_a_i_a''' || be me
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | ''The monkey dances because of me.''
| colspan="20" | ''The monkey dances because of me.''
Line 304: Line 591:
| colspan="20" | '''''Navina kimaixaa.'''''
| colspan="20" | '''''Navina kimaixaa.'''''
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈnavina kimai̯ˈʔaː]</small>
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈnawina kimai̯ˈʔaː]</small>
|-
|-
| '''n_v_n_''' || the cause || '''_a_i_a''' || is me
| '''n_v_n_''' || cause || '''_a_i_a''' || be me
|-
|-
| '''k_m_x_''' || the monkey  || '''_i_ai_aa''' || dances
| '''k_m_x_''' || monkey  || '''_i_ai_aa''' || dance
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | ''Because of me, the monkey dances.''
| colspan="20" | ''Because of me, the monkey dances.''
Line 316: Line 603:
====Transitivity====  
====Transitivity====  


There is no explicit transitivity in Letaale. The direct object of a verb is frequently indicated with a clause containing '''''jomijo''''', which indicates that something is directly affected by another action.
There is no explicit transitivity in Letaale. The direct object of a verb is frequently indicated using a root of '''''jomijo''''', which indicates that something is physically affected by another action.




Line 325: Line 612:
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈkeːmaʔi ˈmoŋiwo]</small>
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈkeːmaʔi ˈmoŋiwo]</small>
|-
|-
| '''k_m_x_''' || the monkey  || '''_ee_a_i''' || eats
| '''k_m_x_''' || monkey  || '''_ee_a_i''' || eat
|-
|-
| '''m_g_v_''' || the banana || '''_o_i_o''' || is directly affected
| '''m_g_v_''' || banana || '''_o_i_o''' || be physically affected
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | ''The monkey eats the banana.''
| colspan="20" | ''The monkey eats the banana.''
Line 333: Line 620:




'''''Jomijo''''' is, however, not simply an equivalent of an accusative case. In many instances, another root is used to indicate the roll of the object.
'''''Jomijo''''' is, however, not simply an equivalent of an accusative case. In many instances, another root is used to indicate the role of the object.




Line 342: Line 629:
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈtuʔanu keːmuˈʔeː]</small>
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈtuʔanu keːmuˈʔeː]</small>
|-
|-
| '''t_x_n_''' || the hunter  || '''_u_a_u''' || kills
| '''t_x_n_''' || hunter  || '''_u_a_u''' || kill
|-
|-
| '''k_m_x_''' || the monkey || '''_ee_u_ee''' || dies
| '''k_m_x_''' || monkey || '''_ee_u_ee''' || die
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | ''The hunter kills the monkey.''
| colspan="20" | ''The hunter kills the monkey.''
Line 356: Line 643:
| colspan="20" | <small>[wiˈʒaːka lawiˈteː]</small>
| colspan="20" | <small>[wiˈʒaːka lawiˈteː]</small>
|-
|-
| '''v_j_k_''' || the bird  || '''_a_ai_a''' || causes
| '''v_j_k_''' || bird  || '''_i_aa_a''' || construct
|-
|-
| '''l_v_t_''' || the nest || '''_e_ai_aa''' || comes into being
| '''l_v_t_''' || nest || '''_a_i_ee''' || come into being
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | ''The bird builds the nest.''
| colspan="20" | ''The bird builds the nest.''
|}
:{| class="graytable"
|-
| colspan="20" | '''''Helumai Tuakuumoxu kimaixaa. Koomixuu togiho. '''''
|-
| colspan="20" | <small>[heluˈmai̯ tua̯ˈkuːmoʔu kimai̯ˈʔaː | koːmiˈʔuː ˈtoŋiho]</small>
|-
| '''h_l_m_''' || named one  || '''_e_u_ai''' || force
|- style="font-style: italic; font-size: 90%;"
| '''Tua-'''
| colspan="20" | IDENTIFIER: Name of ''taaguhii''
|- style="font-style: italic; font-size: 90%;"
| '''k_m_x_''' || monkey  || '''_e_ee_ii''' || play
|-
| '''k_m_x_''' || monkey || '''_i_ai_aa''' || dance
|-
| colspan="20" | ...
|-
| '''k_m_x_''' || monkey || '''_oo_i_uu''' || bite
|-
| '''t_g_h_''' || ''taaguhii'' / he || '''_o_i_o''' || be physically affected
|-
| colspan="20" | ''Tuakuumoxu forces the monkey to dance. It bites him.''
|}
:{| class="graytable"
|-
| colspan="20" | '''''Tuamaagavu halaima kuheemii.'''''
|-
| colspan="21" | <small>[tua̯ˈmaːŋavu hiˈla̯ima kuheːˈmiː]</small>
|- style="font-style: italic; font-size: 90%;"
| '''Tua-'''
| colspan="16" | IDENTIFIER: Name of ''taaguhii''
|- style="font-style: italic; font-size: 90%;"
| '''m_g_v_''' || banana  || '''_e_ee_ii''' || be big
|-
| '''h_l_m_''' || named one  || '''_a_ai_a''' || cause
|-
| '''k_h_m_''' || house || '''_u_ee_ii''' || be on fire
|-
| colspan="20" | ''Tuamaagavu sets the house on fire.''
|}
Verbs that don't result in something being physically affected (such as "love", "see") are often present in Letaale as passives and the experiencer is indicated as a perceiver.
:{| class="graytable"
|-
| colspan="20" | '''''Nemone viilove.'''''
|-
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈnemone ˈwiːlowe]</small>
|-
| '''n_m_n_''' || I  || '''_e_o_e''' || perceive
|-
| '''v_l_v_''' || you || '''_ii_o_e''' || be (be)loved
|-
| colspan="20" | ''I love you.''
|}
:{| class="graytable"
|-
| colspan="20" | '''''Nemone vailiva.'''''
|-
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈnemone ˈwai̯liwa]</small>
|-
| '''n_m_n_''' || I  || '''_e_o_e''' || perceive
|-
| '''v_l_v_''' || you || '''_ai_i_a''' || be visible
|-
| colspan="20" | ''I see you.''
|}
|}
<br />
<br />
Line 375: Line 737:
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈkeːmaʔi ˈmoŋiwo]</small>
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈkeːmaʔi ˈmoŋiwo]</small>
|-
|-
| '''k_m_x_''' || the monkey  || '''_ee_a_i''' || eats
| '''k_m_x_''' || monkey  || '''_ee_a_i''' || eat
|-
|-
| '''m_g_v_''' || the banana || '''_o_i_o''' || is directly affected
| '''m_g_v_''' || banana || '''_o_i_o''' || be physically affected
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | ''The monkey eats the banana.''
| colspan="20" | ''The monkey eats the banana.''
Line 389: Line 751:
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈkeːmaʔi ʒimuˈʒai̯]</small>
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈkeːmaʔi ʒimuˈʒai̯]</small>
|-
|-
| '''k_m_x_''' || the monkey  || '''_ee_a_i''' || eats
| '''k_m_x_''' || monkey  || '''_ee_a_i''' || eat
|-
|-
| '''j_m_j_''' || what is directly affected || '''_i_u_ai''' || is a banana
| '''j_m_j_''' || physically affected one || '''_i_u_ai''' || be banana
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | ''The monkey eats a banana.''
| colspan="20" | ''The monkey eats a banana.''
|}
|}
<br />
<br />
====Location====


Locations are indicated with '''nataami'''.
====Time====


There are no verb tenses in Letaale. The word indicating time is '''hiimixee''' and this can be combined with other roots to specify what time is meant.


:{| class="graytable"
{| class="bluetable lightbluebg sortable"
|+ '''Time words'''
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | '''''Neemani mogivo kahaami.'''''
! Lemma !! Translation !! Noun !! Translation !! Verb !! Translation
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈneːmani ˈmoŋiwo kaˈhaːmi]</small>
| '''''vaimigu''''' || The past one is in the past. || '''''v_m_g_''''' || past one || '''''_ai_i_u''''' || exist in past
|-
|-
| '''n_m_n_''' || I  || '''_ee_a_i''' || eat
| '''''vaixeele''''' || Yesterday's one was yesterday. || '''''v_m_g_''''' || yesterday's one || '''''_ai_ee_e''''' || exist yesterday
|-
|-
| '''m_g_v_''' || the banana || '''_o_i_o''' || is directly affected
| '''''hiinami''''' || The current one is current. || '''''v_m_g_''''' || current one, ongoing one || '''''_ii_a_i''''' || be current, be ongoing
|-
|-
| '''k_h_m_''' || the house || '''_a_aa_i''' || is a location
| '''''kuumisoo''''' || The future one will be in the future. || '''''k_m_s_''''' || future one || '''''_uu_i_oo''''' || be in future
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | ''I eat the banana in the house.''
| '''''lelemi''''' || Tomorrow's one will be tomorrow. || '''''v_m_g_''''' || tomorrow's one || '''''_ai_i_u''''' || exist yesterday
|}
|}


Line 420: Line 782:
:{| class="graytable"
:{| class="graytable"
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | '''''Neemani mogivo nuutiimi.'''''
| colspan="20" | '''''Haimeexe nuumiinu javaite Xuekahomai.'''''
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈneːmani ˈmoŋiwo nuːˈtiːmi]</small>
| colspan="20" | <small>[hai̯ˈmeːʔe nuːmiːnu ʒaˈwai̯te ʔue̯kahoˈmai̯]</small>
|-
|-
| '''n_m_n_''' || I || '''_ee_a_i''' || eat
| '''h_m_x_''' || time || '''_ai_ee_e''' || be yesterday
|-
|-
| '''m_g_v_''' || the banana || '''_o_i_o''' || is directly affected
| '''n_m_n_''' || I  || '''_uu_ii_u''' || fly
|-
|-
| '''n_t_m_''' || the location || '''_a_aa_i''' || is a house
| '''j_v_t_''' || destination  || '''_a_ai_e''' || be town
|- style="font-style: italic; font-size: 90%;"
| '''Xue-'''
| colspan="20" | <small>IDENTIFIER: Name of town</small>
|- style="font-style: italic; font-size: 90%;"
| '''k_h_m_''' || house || '''_a_o_ai''' || be circle
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | ''I eat the banana in a house.''
| colspan="20" | ''Yesterday I flew to Xuekahomai.''
|}
|}
<br />
<br />
====Experience verbs====


Verbs that don't result in something being directly affected (such as "love", "see") are often present in Letaale as passives and the experiencer is indicated as a perceiver.
====Location====
 
Locations are indicated with '''nataami'''.




:{| class="graytable"
:{| class="graytable"
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | '''''Nemone viilove.'''''
| colspan="20" | '''''Neemani mogivo kahaami.'''''
|-
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈneːmani ˈmoŋiwo kaˈhaːmi]</small>
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈnemone ˈwiːlowe]</small>
| '''n_m_n_''' || I  || '''_ee_a_i''' || eat
|-
|-
| '''n_m_n_''' || I  || '''_e_o_e''' || perceive
| '''m_g_v_''' || banana || '''_o_i_o''' || be physically affected
|-
|-
| '''v_l_v_''' || you || '''_ii_o_e''' || are (be)loved
| '''k_h_m_''' || house || '''_a_aa_i''' || be location
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | ''I love you.''
| colspan="20" | ''I eat the banana in the house.''
|}
|}


Line 455: Line 824:
:{| class="graytable"
:{| class="graytable"
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | '''''Nemone vailiva.'''''
| colspan="20" | '''''Neemani mogivo nuutiimi.'''''
|-
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈneːmani ˈmoŋiwo nuːˈtiːmi]</small>
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈnemone ˈwai̯liwa]</small>
| '''n_m_n_''' || I  || '''_ee_a_i''' || eat
|-
|-
| '''n_m_n_''' || I  || '''_e_o_e''' || perceive
| '''m_g_v_''' || banana || '''_o_i_o''' || be physically affected
|-
|-
| '''v_l_v_''' || you || '''_ai_i_a''' || are visible
| '''n_t_m_''' || location || '''_a_aa_i''' || be house
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | ''I see you.''
| colspan="20" | ''I eat the banana in a house.''
|}
|}
<br />
<br />
 
====Subordination====
====Subordination====


Line 482: Line 853:
| '''v_l_v_''' || you || '''_e_o_e''' || perceive
| '''v_l_v_''' || you || '''_e_o_e''' || perceive
|-
|-
| '''n_m_n_''' || I  || '''_ii_o_e''' || am (be)loved
| '''n_m_n_''' || I  || '''_ii_o_e''' || be (be)loved
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | ''I know <s>(that)</s> you love me.''
| colspan="20" | ''I know <s>(that)</s> you love me.''
Line 493: Line 864:
:{| class="graytable"
:{| class="graytable"
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | '''''Nemone (gaimina) keemaxi mogiva.'''''
| colspan="20" | '''''Nemone (gaimina) keemaxi mogivo.'''''
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈnemone (ˈŋai̯mina) ˈkeːmaʔi ˈmoŋiwa]</small>
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈnemone (ˈŋai̯mina) ˈkeːmaʔi ˈmoŋiwa]</small>
Line 499: Line 870:
| '''n_m_n_''' || I  || '''_e_o_e''' || perceive
| '''n_m_n_''' || I  || '''_e_o_e''' || perceive
|-
|-
| '''g_m_n_''' || what I'm about to say || '''_ai_i_a''' || is visible
| '''g_m_n_''' || next thing I say || '''_ai_i_a''' || be visible
|-
|-
| '''k_m_x_''' || the monkey  || '''_ee_a_i''' || eats
| '''k_m_x_''' || monkey  || '''_ee_a_i''' || eat
|-
|-
| '''m_g_v_''' || the banana || '''_o_i_o''' || is directly affected
| '''m_g_v_''' || banana || '''_o_i_o''' || be physically affected
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | ''I see the monkey eat the banana.''
| colspan="20" | ''I see the monkey eat the banana.''
|}
|}
<br />
<br />
 
====Coordination====
====Coordination====


Line 520: Line 891:
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈkeːmaʔi ˈneːmani ˈmoŋiwo]</small>
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈkeːmaʔi ˈneːmani ˈmoŋiwo]</small>
|-
|-
| '''k_m_x_''' || the monkey  || '''_ee_a_i''' || eats
| '''k_m_x_''' || monkey  || '''_ee_a_i''' || eat
|-
|-
| '''n_m_n_''' || I  || '''_ee_a_i''' || eat
| '''n_m_n_''' || I  || '''_ee_a_i''' || eat
|-
|-
| '''m_g_v_''' || the banana || '''_o_i_o''' || is directly affected
| '''m_g_v_''' || banana || '''_o_i_o''' || be physically affected
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | ''The monkey and I eat the banana.''
| colspan="20" | ''The monkey and I eat the banana.''
Line 536: Line 907:
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈtuːŋahu ˈnomino ˈkomiʔo ˈkoʒimo]</small>
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈtuːŋahu ˈnomino ˈkomiʔo ˈkoʒimo]</small>
|-
|-
| '''t_g_h_''' || the ''tahu''  || '''_uu_a_u''' || hits
| '''t_g_h_''' || ''taaguhii'' / he || '''_uu_a_u''' || hits
|-
|-
| '''n_m_n_''' || I || '''_o_i_o''' || am directly affected
| '''n_m_n_''' || I || '''_o_i_o''' || be physically affected
|-
|-
| '''k_m_x_''' || the monkey  || '''_o_i_o''' || is directly affected
| '''k_m_x_''' || monkey  || '''_o_i_o''' || be physically affected
|-
|-
| '''k_j_m_''' || the dog || '''_o_i_o''' || is directly affected
| '''k_j_m_''' || dog || '''_o_i_o''' || be physically affected
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | ''The tahu hits me, the monkey, and the dog.''<br />''He hits me, the monkey, and the dog.''
| colspan="20" | ''The taaguhii hits me, the monkey, and the dog.''<br />''He hits me, the monkey, and the dog.''
|}
|}


Line 554: Line 925:
| colspan="20" | <small>[meˈnoːti ˈmenote ʒaˈleːto]</small>
| colspan="20" | <small>[meˈnoːti ˈmenote ʒaˈleːto]</small>
|-
|-
| '''m_n_t_''' || the cat || '''_e_oo_i''' || sleeps
| '''m_n_t_''' || cat || '''_e_oo_i''' || sleep
|-
|-
| '''m_n_t_''' || the cat || '''_e_o_e''' || perceives
| '''m_n_t_''' || cat || '''_e_o_e''' || perceive
|-
|-
| '''j_l_t_''' || the dream || '''_a_ee_o''' || exists
| '''j_l_t_''' || dream || '''_a_ee_o''' || exist
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | ''The cat sleeps and (the cat) dreams.''
| colspan="20" | ''The cat sleeps and (the cat) dreams.''
Line 573: Line 944:
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈtuːŋahu ˈlowilo ŋoˈmaːne ˈlewole ˈtiːŋohe]</small>
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈtuːŋahu ˈlowilo ŋoˈmaːne ˈlewole ˈtiːŋohe]</small>
|-
|-
| '''t_g_h_''' || the ''tahu''  || '''_uu_a_u''' || hits
| '''t_g_h_''' || ''taaguhii'' / he || '''_uu_a_u''' || hit
|-
|-
| '''l_v_l_''' || the woman || '''_o_i_o''' || is directly affected
| '''l_v_l_''' || woman / she || '''_o_i_o''' || be physically affected
|-
|-
| '''g_m_n_''' || what I'm about to say  || '''_o_aa_e''' || is surprising
| '''g_m_n_''' || next thing I say  || '''_o_aa_e''' || be surprising
|-
|-
| '''l_v_l_''' || the woman || '''_e_o_e''' || perceives
| '''l_v_l_''' || woman / she || '''_e_o_e''' || perceive
|-
|-
| '''t_g_h_''' || the ''tahu''  || '''_ii_o_e''' || is (be)loved
| '''t_g_h_''' || ''taaguhii'' / he || '''_ii_o_e''' || be (be)loved
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | ''He hits her but she loves him.''
| colspan="20" | ''He hits her but she loves him.''
Line 588: Line 959:


===Modification===
===Modification===
Modification is chiefly accomplished by repeating what is to be modified in another clause. Often, this will not look like repetition from the surface forms because what is repeated may be in verb form in one clause and noun form in the modifying clause.
:{| class="graytable"
|-
| colspan="20" | '''''Keemaxi jimujai maagavu.'''''
|-
| colspan="20" | <small>[ˈkeːmaʔi ʒimuˈʒai̯ ˈmaːŋavu]</small>
|-
| '''k_m_x_''' || monkey  || '''_ee_a_i''' || eat
|-
| '''j_m_j_''' || physically affected one || '''_i_u_ai''' || be banana
|-
| '''m_g_v_''' || banana || '''_aa_a_u''' || be large
|-
| colspan="20" | ''The monkey eats a big banana.''
|}




Line 598: Line 986:
| '''n_m_n_''' || I  || '''_e_o_e''' || perceive
| '''n_m_n_''' || I  || '''_e_o_e''' || perceive
|-
|-
| '''v_l_v_''' || you || '''_ii_o_e''' || are (be)loved
| '''v_l_v_''' || you || '''_ii_o_e''' || be (be)loved
|-
|-
| '''h_j_l_''' || the beloved one || '''_aa_ii_aa''' || is extreme
| '''h_j_l_''' || beloved one || '''_aa_ii_aa''' || be extreme
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | ''I love you very much.''
| colspan="20" | ''I love you very much.''
Line 614: Line 1,002:
| '''n_m_n_''' || I  || '''_e_o_e''' || perceive
| '''n_m_n_''' || I  || '''_e_o_e''' || perceive
|-
|-
| '''l_j_l_''' || the perceiver || '''_aa_ii_aa''' || is extreme
| '''l_j_l_''' || perceiver || '''_aa_ii_aa''' || be extreme
|-
|-
| '''v_l_v_''' || you || '''_ii_o_e''' || are (be)loved
| '''v_l_v_''' || you || '''_ii_o_e''' || be (be)loved
|-
|-
| colspan="20" | ''It is clear to me that I love you.''
| colspan="20" | ''It is clear to me that I love you.''
|}
|}
<br />
===Negation===


==Glossary==


===Negation===
{| class="graytable sortable"
|-
! Word !! Letaale (lemma) !! Guaru !! Explanation
|-
| hiitaahii || '''''hiitaahii''''' || ''kia tahu'' || A '''hiitaahii''' or ''kia tahu'' is a boy who is raised to be a ''tahu''. This word is often used for adult men who have failed their initiation into the ''tagahu'' and are not permitted to live with civilians. Some may be permitted to reinitiate to become ''xeeguhii''.
|-
| primary vowel || || || The primary vowels are the short vowels /a e i o u/ ⟨'''a e i o u'''⟩, the long vowels /aː eː iː oː uː/ ⟨'''aa ee ii oo uu'''⟩  and the diphthong /ai/ ⟨'''ai'''⟩. Primary vowels can occur in trisyllabics whereas secondary vowels cannot. Each primary vowel is associated with one consonant, with which it alternates in conversion from a verb root to its equivalent noun root.
|-
| taaguhii || '''''taaguhii''''' || || A '''taaguhii''' is a ''tahu'' in active duty, roughly equivalent to a soldier or police officer.
|-
| tagahu || || ''tagahu'' || The '''tagahu''' is an all-male secret society which functions more or less as the government and military/police force of the known parts of Oru. Its members are known as ''tahu''. The leaders of the tagahu are believed to be in contact with the creators of Oru and they consequently have access to very sophisticated technology.
|-
| tahu || '''''taahiigu''''' || ''tahu'' || A '''tahu''' is a man who has been successfully initiated into the ''tagahu''.
|-
| trisyllabic ||  ||  || A '''trisyllabic''' is a word consisting of three syllables, each of which is made up of a consonant phoneme and a ''primary vowel'' phoneme. Trisyllabics represent a full clause consisting of a ''triconsonantal noun root'' and a ''trivocallic verb root''. For example, the trisyllabic '''''neemani''''' "I eat" consists of the noun root '''n_m_n_''' "I" plus the verb root '''_ee_a_i''' "eat".
|-
| xeeguhii || '''''xeeguhii''''' || || An '''xeeguhii''' is a ''tahu'' who works in an administrative role. This includes both the equivalent of senators as well as lower government workers.
|-
| || || ||
|}


==Notes==
==Notes==
  This conlang has been inspired by [http://www.lingweenie.net/abakwi/abakwi.shtml Abakwi] and [http://www.frathwiki.com/Iljena Iljena]. Check them out! - Imralu
  This conlang has been inspired by [http://www.lingweenie.net/abakwi/abakwi.shtml Abakwi] and [http://www.frathwiki.com/Iljena Iljena]. Check them out! - Imralu
[[Category:Languages]]
[[Category:Conlangs]]
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