Izhkut: Difference between revisions

| altname = Ishcot

| nativename = jënn izhkut

| pronunciation_key = IPA for Izhkut

| created = 2022

| notice = ipa

}}

Modern Izhkut is divided into two main dialect groups: '''[[#Mainland|Mainland]]''' and [[Colonial Izhkut|Colonial]]. Mainland dialects are spoken in Izhkutrëa proper, and historically were the basis of '''Standard Izhkut''', though modern Mainland dialects have mostly diverged from the Standard to varying degrees (even the least divergent dialects, such as those of Ubëes, have incorporated many slang words that are not recognised in Standard Izhkut). Colonial dialects are a diverse dialect continuum primarily spoken in the Izhkut Colonies (Standard Izhkut: ''Misogra''; Colonial Izhkut: ''Uesi''), characterised by a phonology and grammar distinct from Standard or Mainland Izhkut, as well as a vocabulary heavily influenced by languages indigenous to the Colonies and also great internal diversity; Colonial dialects themselves are generally divided into Bay Area (in and around the Gibios Bay) and Strait (around the Chepsëh strait) dialect continua that have their own distinct vocabulary and slang, if similar phonology and grammar.

! I !! II

|-

|-

| wail (n.) || ''ouggu'' || ''ougu'' || wheat

|}

Contour I is usually orthographically indicated by the doubling of the proceeding letter, with contour II left unindicated.

===Phonotactics===

Izhkut syllables follow the rule of ''' (C) (r)V₁ (V₂) (C)''', where '''C''' represents any consonant apart from the flap, '''r''' represents the flap, '''V₁''' represents any vowel, and '''V₂''' represents any vowel that isn't identical to V₁.

: "No, don't touch that."

Finally, ''hem'' acts as a negative determiner, as in:

: "I have '''no''' money."

====Negative imperative====

In Mainland dialects, the imperative is marked by the preceding particle ''ma'', while the negative imperative is usually marked by the particle ''h'ma'' (''hem'' + ''ma'', pronounced [[IPA for Izhkut|[xˈma]]]). In Southern Mainland dialects, double negatives are also used in negative imperative phrases, a feature borrowed from [[Pokht]]:

In Izhkut:

: "''Yalos udleg'iu taplia io hegrij uos khrugid io pliedu. Zre goshmis menna uë diusra io vobbis io blaid ana narro mensi uos proinid teyea.''"

In English:

: "''All humans 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.''"