Proto-Cynthi-Kather

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Proto-Cynthi-Kather was a language spoken on the islands of Cynth and Kather. It gave rise to many languages, such as Mekatheri and Cynthian. Many words are directly attested, as the islands’ people saw writing as the key to knowledge and power. Some ancient sources also describe the phonology, thus making it attested. It was written using a Greek-derived alphabet. It used all of the Greek letters we are familiar with, as well as ⟨ϝ⟩, ⟨ͱ⟩, and ⟨ϟ⟩ (wau, heta, and qoppa). The ⟨ϟ⟩ variant of ⟨ϙ⟩ is not attested until the 13th century; however, most historical linguists documenting the language prefer the more recent qoppa variant, as that is what is used in the islands’ languages today, “and it just looks better” according to Kathyrian-born linguist Kòir Ok.

Phonology

Proto-Cynthi-Kather had the following phonology, according to Ksùunqiur.

Consonants
Bilabial Labiodental Dental Alveolar Velar Uvular Laryngeal
plosive p ⟨π⟩
b ⟨βπ⟩
ps ⟨ψ⟩
bv ⟨β⟩ dð ⟨δ⟩ t ⟨τ⟩
d ⟨δτ⟩
ts ⟨τσ⟩
k ⟨κ⟩
g ⟨γκ⟩
ks ⟨ξ⟩
gɣ ⟨γ⟩
q ⟨ϟ⟩
ɢ ⟨γϟ⟩
qs ⟨ϟσ⟩
fricative f ⟨φ⟩ θ ⟨θ⟩ s ⟨σ⟩
z ⟨ζ⟩
x ⟨χ⟩ ħ ⟨ͱ⟩
trill r̥ ⟨τρ⟩
r ⟨ρ⟩
approximant w ⟨ϝ⟩ l ⟨λ⟩ (w) ʕ ⟨γͱ⟩
nasal m ⟨μ⟩ n ⟨ν⟩