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Dama Diwan: Difference between revisions
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|ancestor = [[ProtoHuman language]] | |ancestor = [[ProtoHuman language]] | ||
|dia1 = '' | |dia1 = ''less flexible (JIRO) and extended (JARO) Daman variants'' | ||
|script = [[Latin alphabet]]<br>*any script of the world<br>*the 10 digits 0123456789.<br>* | |script = [[Latin alphabet]]<br>*any script of the world<br>*the 10 digits 0123456789.<br>*Daman Braille consisting of only 10 symbols.<br>*the DamanDaman 10-element systems: logographic and phonemic at the same time. |notice = IPA | ||
}} | }} | ||
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The reasons why Daman Diwan is objectively different to all other (natural or constructed) languages: | The reasons why Daman Diwan is objectively different to all other (natural or constructed) languages: | ||
# It is the easiest, simplest, and smallest of all functional languages. This is measured by its 258 roots and 3 or 6 suffixes; it has been tested that it takes about 5 days for an average person to memorize the whole vocabulary. It is not possible to make an easier functional language, because if the number of morphemes is reduced, then it will be necessary to memorize a huge number of combinations with special subjective meanings which cannot be understood by the combined elements themselves. | # It is the easiest, simplest, and smallest of all functional languages. This is measured by its 258 roots and 3 or 6 suffixes; it has been tested that it takes about 5 days for an average person to memorize the whole vocabulary. It is not possible to make an easier functional language, because if the number of morphemes is reduced, then it will be necessary to memorize a huge number of combinations with special subjective meanings which cannot be understood by the combined elements themselves. | ||
#In fact, the roots are the phonemes, so | #In fact, the roots are the phonemes, so Daman is made from 12 roots only; but because it is not always easy to find the meaning of a cVc root from the individual phonemes, it is necessary to memorize the meaning of the 258 higher-level roots. | ||
# It is “open source” and personalizable (can be customized according to each individual’s own usage). | # It is “open source” and personalizable (can be customized according to each individual’s own usage). | ||
# It is not made from any other language(s). | # It is not made from any other language(s). | ||
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# All phonemes are equally represented in the formation of roots. | # All phonemes are equally represented in the formation of roots. | ||
== | == Daman Diwan as simple as it is / Daman Diwan sanon rure, sanon nibe (JURO) == | ||
:-O :noun. -ON: object before its verb. | :-O :noun. -ON: object before its verb. | ||
:-A :adverb. -AN: genitive. | :-A :adverb. -AN: genitive. | ||
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== Grammar / kiwan nijo == | == Grammar / kiwan nijo == | ||
DO NOT TRY TO LEARN Daman Diwan GRAMMAR; BUILD THE GRAMMAR BY YOURSELF after you know the 3 suffixes (extended into 6 by -N, or even forget the -N if it confuses you: use only the 3 suffixes then). | DO NOT TRY TO LEARN Daman Diwan GRAMMAR; BUILD THE GRAMMAR BY YOURSELF after you know the 3 suffixes (extended into 6 by -N, or even forget the -N if it confuses you: use only the 3 suffixes then). | ||
If you know the meaning of | If you know the meaning of Daman Diwan words '''and the head-final word order''', you don't need to know any other grammar. "Grammar" means things obligatory to express, such as gender, case, number, tense, aspect of verb, mood and so on. All such things are available in Dama, but almost nothing is obligatory to express. In fact, it is better to omit anything that is easily understood without mentioning it. What is obligatory (and therefore, grammatical) in Dama, is that every word must end with one of the 3 vowels, and that vowel presents the word as a noun or adverb or verb; so, '''these 3 suffixes, along with the word order and the possible -N constitute the whole grammar of Daman Diwan'''. | ||
The 3 suffixes o / a / e have the following native names (with examples in brackets): | The 3 suffixes o / a / e have the following native names (with examples in brackets): | ||
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===MODIFIERS TO NOUNS / ruro se nuna juno=== | ===MODIFIERS TO NOUNS / ruro se nuna juno=== | ||
So for example JASO is a tooth / teeth; JASA is the adverb "teeth-way", with (the) teeth, teeth-like, by means of teeth; and JASE is the verb: to use the teeth, bite or chew. All these can be used as predicates (after the subject) or as adjectives / modifiers (before the modified word); | So for example JASO is a tooth / teeth; JASA is the adverb "teeth-way", with (the) teeth, teeth-like, by means of teeth; and JASE is the verb: (with indirect object, it means) to use the teeth, bite or chew; (with a direct object, it means) to use as "teeth", that is to use the object as the main weapon or power. All these can be used as predicates (after the subject) or as adjectives / modifiers (before the modified word); | ||
suppose the modified word is a noun such as BASO (fish); then JASO BASO = "the teeth-fish" (implying an important role of teeth, so it is a shark, if the context agrees). However, note that with a zero-copula if we put two nouns next to each other, the first is naturally a subject and the second is its predicate: this is the original construction. Now, if subject=describing and predicate=categorizing, then object-predicate means adjective-noun, so such an adjective has a connotation of subject (A=B); for example, a "tail" is called "JAMO WUSO" ("back cord"): JAMO (the rear thing) is an adjective to the noun WUSO (cord, rope, etc.), but at the same time there is the relation A=B: the back (thing) is a cord. So, even when saying JASO BASO "teeth fish" this is to give an impression that the fish is all teeth. If we must make clear that there is not an A=B relationship, then we use the suffix -AN, broadly analogous to English "of": JAMAN WOSO =the cord (or rope, thread) ''of'' the back part; or, the word SE forms a possessive function: JAMO SE WOSO "the cord that the back part ''has''"; A SE JANO= your pig, clearly different from A JANO =you (are a) pig. However, we can still say e.g. A RUSO "your eye(s)" because the pragmatic context makes it obvious that we do not say exactly that "you are an eye". | suppose the modified word is a noun such as BASO (fish); then JASO BASO = "the teeth-fish" (implying an important role of teeth, so it is a shark, if the context agrees). However, note that with a zero-copula if we put two nouns next to each other, the first is naturally a subject and the second is its predicate: this is the original construction. Now, if subject=describing and predicate=categorizing, then object-predicate means adjective-noun, so such an adjective has a connotation of subject (A=B); for example, a "tail" is called "JAMO WUSO" ("back cord"): JAMO (the rear thing) is an adjective to the noun WUSO (cord, rope, etc.), but at the same time there is the relation A=B: the back (thing) is a cord. So, even when saying JASO BASO "teeth fish" this is to give an impression that the fish is all teeth. If we must make clear that there is not an A=B relationship, then we use the suffix -AN, broadly analogous to English "of": JAMAN WOSO =the cord (or rope, thread) ''of'' the back part; or, the word SE forms a possessive function: JAMO SE WOSO "the cord that the back part ''has''"; A SE JANO= your pig, clearly different from A JANO =you (are a) pig. However, we can still say e.g. A RUSO "your eye(s)" because the pragmatic context makes it obvious that we do not say exactly that "you are an eye". | ||
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===THE SUFFIXED -N / mibo -n=== | ===THE SUFFIXED -N / mibo -n=== | ||
It is indeed possible to use the Daman language without the suffixed -N. In such a usage, Daman does not lose its ability to express things, but it loses some of its freedom: the unmarked word order should then be strict SVO, and the subject must always be present (even as a dummy, e.g. TO "person", NO "thing" etc.); some people may think such a usage to be easier; for me, it is too hard; all my experience shows that the easiest way to start a sentence in Daman is to start with the object. Also, the final -N on verbs is extremely practical in showing different types of object (e.g., after -EN, a mere adverb or a whole sentence can be a verb's object), and so, even if you thing that it is easier without the suffixed -N, you may find it much more difficult if you try to use | It is indeed possible to use the Daman language without the suffixed -N. In such a usage, Daman does not lose its ability to express things, but it loses some of its freedom: the unmarked word order should then be strict SVO, and the subject must always be present (even as a dummy, e.g. TO "person", NO "thing" etc.); some people may think such a usage to be easier; for me, it is too hard; all my experience shows that the easiest way to start a sentence in Daman is to start with the object. Also, the final -N on verbs is extremely practical in showing different types of object (e.g., after -EN, a mere adverb or a whole sentence can be a verb's object), and so, even if you thing that it is easier without the suffixed -N, you may find it much more difficult if you try to use Daman without that -N. | ||
All the 3 suffixes can be extended by a final nasal, which is best pronounced as velar if possible to the speaker. The final nasal is the connecting indicator: it goes between the governed word (called SUTO) and its governing word (SUTE) to connect them. | All the 3 suffixes can be extended by a final nasal, which is best pronounced as velar if possible to the speaker. The final nasal is the connecting indicator: it goes between the governed word (called SUTO) and its governing word (SUTE) to connect them. | ||
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:the 4 connecting particles (SINE JUNO) exist only in extended Daman; they are AJ (and), AJN (connecting the modifiers), AW (copula, "is", "am", "are"), and AWN (question marker). These refer to the word after them, unless there is some punctuation after the SINE JUNO, then they refer to the word(s) before them. | :the 4 connecting particles (SINE JUNO) exist only in extended Daman; they are AJ (and), AJN (connecting the modifiers), AW (copula, "is", "am", "are"), and AWN (question marker). These refer to the word after them, unless there is some punctuation after the SINE JUNO, then they refer to the word(s) before them. | ||
=== Extended | === Extended Daman Diwan / Daman Diwan jaro=== | ||
The extended possibilities of | The extended possibilities of Daman Diwan are based on the ability to form "diphthongs" which are in fact realized as two successive vowels of which one (typically the first one) is turned into a semivowel. The vowel "A" is not turned into a semivowel. In some cases, none of the two successive vowels can turn into a semivowel, then it is best to put a "weak" unwritten consonant (such as /ʔ/, /h/, /ʕ/) between the two. | ||
Also, extended | Also, extended Daman can lengthen or drop a vowel for derivation purposes. | ||
Extended | Extended Daman uses the same 12 phonemes and the same roots as ordinary Daman (only the 4 conjunctions are added), but differs in the ability to combine, lengthen, or even omit, vowels. In this way, extended Daman can form a great many thousands of derived words, so virtually possessing a richer vocabulary than all natural spoken languages although ordinary Daman has only 258 lexical roots and 6 possible suffixes. | ||
Some features for extending | Some features for extending Daman sound "informal", especially the expressive lengthening of vowels. Other features sound "formal", as U -> JU in the stems to denote a metaphorical usage of the word. | ||
Some extended features of | Some extended features of Daman seem to make the language or its pronunciation difficult. Difficulty is against the basic principles of Dama, so the learner should not try to learn any of the extended features that seems difficult. Instead, the extended features are for facilitating the users in cases where ordinary Daman seems to be less practical because of the need for word combinations where extended Daman can do with only a derivation trick. Extended features have scarcely been used while Daman is in the fourth year of use, and some of those features have not been used at all but exist in theory as means to satisfy all desires for having all the derivation devices and conjunctions that a decent and dignified International Auxiliary Language is presumed to own. | ||
Like the vocabulary and all the features of ordinary Dama, the extended features too have been discovered by means of divination | Like the vocabulary and all the features of ordinary Dama, the extended features too have been discovered by means of divination | ||
==== Degrees of reality / ruran mujo ==== | ==== Degrees of reality / ruran mujo ==== | ||
jiro nijo wuwa | jiro nijo wuwa Daman Diwan kiwo jan sen wa wiko mujo: 1."jume", 2."i kiban", 3."kaso", 4."nanon". | ||
: | :Extended Daman Diwan can express four "degrees" (MUJO) which bear the native names : 1."JUME", 2."I KIBAN", 3."KASO", 4."NANON". | ||
:This is done by expressive usage of vowels, as follows: | :This is done by expressive usage of vowels, as follows: | ||
*1."JUME" (intensification), means that | *1."JUME" (intensification), means that extended Daman can lengthen (double, triple, or even more) the first or only vowel of a word in order to express largeness, e.g. BAAKO =a big body (BAKO), TAAAMO =the huge sky, MUUKO =a big victory, WIIIWO =huge water (ocean), and so on. | ||
*2."I KIBAN", which, in theory, means that only the lengthened suffix (of disyllabic words only) is emphasized according to the lengthening of its vowel; in practice, this is asserting the grammatical function of the word on the cost of its stem; so e.g. if we say RABOO, this means we assert it is a noun, an extant thing, because the extant thing in this case is very small and tends to be neglected, so RABOO means a small tree (RABO), and likewise TAROO= a small animal (TARO), JUTOOO is a tiny piece of skin (JUTO). It works the same way with verbs and adverbs; so, if we say "JAJEE" it means that (s/he) gave money indeed, but it was so little money (JAJ-). An example with an adverb is SUNAAA "in the past", which is very very near past. So this function lessens, makes light, or even makes fun, of the stem meaning. | *2."I KIBAN", which, in theory, means that only the lengthened suffix (of disyllabic words only) is emphasized according to the lengthening of its vowel; in practice, this is asserting the grammatical function of the word on the cost of its stem; so e.g. if we say RABOO, this means we assert it is a noun, an extant thing, because the extant thing in this case is very small and tends to be neglected, so RABOO means a small tree (RABO), and likewise TAROO= a small animal (TARO), JUTOOO is a tiny piece of skin (JUTO). It works the same way with verbs and adverbs; so, if we say "JAJEE" it means that (s/he) gave money indeed, but it was so little money (JAJ-). An example with an adverb is SUNAAA "in the past", which is very very near past. So this function lessens, makes light, or even makes fun, of the stem meaning. | ||
Note: in monosyllabic words, lengthening the only vowel makes them augmentative (JUME). Augmented SANO (small), i.e. SAAANO, means very very small. "I KIBAN" MIWO (big), i.e. MIWOO lessens the greatness, so MIWOO =somewhat big. | Note: in monosyllabic words, lengthening the only vowel makes them augmentative (JUME). Augmented SANO (small), i.e. SAAANO, means very very small. "I KIBAN" MIWO (big), i.e. MIWOO lessens the greatness, so MIWOO =somewhat big. | ||
: | :Ordinary Daman uses no augmentative / diminutive devices unless adjectives as MIWO (big) and SANO (small). | ||
*3."KASO", is the "vrddhi" function which is formed as "vrddhi" in Sanskrit; that is, an "A" is added immediately after the first consonant (before the stem vowel) of a disyllabic word, so e.g. "NIWO" becomes "NAIWO" and "WAJO" becomes "WA'AJO". | *3."KASO", is the "vrddhi" function which is formed as "vrddhi" in Sanskrit; that is, an "A" is added immediately after the first consonant (before the stem vowel) of a disyllabic word, so e.g. "NIWO" becomes "NAIWO" and "WAJO" becomes "WA'AJO". | ||
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The usefulness of the vrddhi (a+vowel) word is primarily to express a color, e.g. TINO =a (blue) gem, TAINO =blue; (some other common colors are WAUKO =yellow, i.e. of citrus fruit, TAIKO =green [of plants], RA'AKO =green [of leek etc.], SAITO =red [of blood], MAIMO [of fire] or saujo [of the sun] =golden color, JAUSO [of the moon] =silvery white). JAIWO [of egg] is white, but WAURO [of milk] is expressly more white, and the perfect white is WA'AJO [of light]. | The usefulness of the vrddhi (a+vowel) word is primarily to express a color, e.g. TINO =a (blue) gem, TAINO =blue; (some other common colors are WAUKO =yellow, i.e. of citrus fruit, TAIKO =green [of plants], RA'AKO =green [of leek etc.], SAITO =red [of blood], MAIMO [of fire] or saujo [of the sun] =golden color, JAUSO [of the moon] =silvery white). JAIWO [of egg] is white, but WAURO [of milk] is expressly more white, and the perfect white is WA'AJO [of light]. | ||
If the original word cannot be used for its color, the vrddhi is used for its similarity, e.g. BUSO =a dog, BAUSO =an animal similar to a dog, e.g. the Tasmanian tiger; or for outer appearance, as in NURO =normal, NAURO =something that seems to be normal, ordinary. | If the original word cannot be used for its color, the vrddhi is used for its similarity, e.g. BUSO =a dog, BAUSO =an animal similar to a dog, e.g. the Tasmanian tiger; or for outer appearance, as in NURO =normal, NAURO =something that seems to be normal, ordinary. | ||
: | :Ordinary Daman does not use the vrddhi (augmented vowel) function; instead, it uses "BUW(O)" for color, "RAN-" for similarity, and "KAWA" for outer appearance. | ||
*4."NANON". This can apply only to the disyllabic words with I/E or U/O in their stem; then the stem vowel (other than "A") can take an "A" after it, thus the stem vowel becomes a semivowel (J / W, not different from I/E and U/O respectively, only that the stem vowel must be weaker or not stronger than the added "A"); thus, NIMO → NJAMO / NIAMO, KIWO → KJAWO / KIAWO, TUBE → TWABE / TUABE, NUWE → NWAWE / NUAWE, etc. | *4."NANON". This can apply only to the disyllabic words with I/E or U/O in their stem; then the stem vowel (other than "A") can take an "A" after it, thus the stem vowel becomes a semivowel (J / W, not different from I/E and U/O respectively, only that the stem vowel must be weaker or not stronger than the added "A"); thus, NIMO → NJAMO / NIAMO, KIWO → KJAWO / KIAWO, TUBE → TWABE / TUABE, NUWE → NWAWE / NUAWE, etc. | ||
This expresses the negative or opposite of the stem; e.g. NIMO =meat, NIAMO =meatless, KIWO =word, KIAWO =without words, TUBE =give, TWABE =not give, refuse, NUWE =to make unclear, NUAWE =to clarify. | This expresses the negative or opposite of the stem; e.g. NIMO =meat, NIAMO =meatless, KIWO =word, KIAWO =without words, TUBE =give, TWABE =not give, refuse, NUWE =to make unclear, NUAWE =to clarify. | ||
: | :Ordinary Daman uses instead the negative particle "UN" and the stem BIM- "to undo, reverse". | ||
===== Prefixes / nuna mibo ===== | ===== Prefixes / nuna mibo ===== | ||
This is the meaning of the prefixes (which have not been used and even not been explored until 2016 November 12) in | This is the meaning of the prefixes (which have not been used and even not been explored until 2016 November 12) in Daman Diwan: | ||
:With nouns: (-o) | :With nouns: (-o) | ||
u- =MAWO, male; e- =MUTO, female; a- =WANO, abstract noun, with a connotation of true nature, truly so. | u- =MAWO, male; e- =MUTO, female; a- =WANO, abstract noun, with a connotation of true nature, truly so. | ||
This is the form they have in the Western style: u-, e-, a-. In other styles they may be pronounced also o-, i-, ə-. | This is the form they have in the Western style: u-, e-, a-. In other styles they may be pronounced also o-, i-, ə-. | ||
These may be used only in extended Daman, and then with due care, so they may not be confused with the pronouns A (you), I (this/that), O (me). While the pronouns are written and pronounced as separate words, the prefixes can only be written joint to the word, and never be emphasized, while the emphasis should be on the second syllable (stem) or on the 3rd syllable (suffix), e.g. akúto, or akutó. If the prefix is quite distinctly emphasized by length or stress or higher pitch, it is taken not as a prefix, but as a pronoun: á kuto. For the meaning of emphasizing (mainly by lengthening) the stem syllable or the suffix syllable, see the extended | These may be used only in extended Daman, and then with due care, so they may not be confused with the pronouns A (you), I (this/that), O (me). While the pronouns are written and pronounced as separate words, the prefixes can only be written joint to the word, and never be emphasized, while the emphasis should be on the second syllable (stem) or on the 3rd syllable (suffix), e.g. akúto, or akutó. If the prefix is quite distinctly emphasized by length or stress or higher pitch, it is taken not as a prefix, but as a pronoun: á kuto. For the meaning of emphasizing (mainly by lengthening) the stem syllable or the suffix syllable, see the extended Daman degrees (MUJO) above. | ||
: | : | ||
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::Prefixes to verbs and adverbs were only suspected before 2017 February 24. May be used in the future, but only as sparingly as possible. With these, extended Daman Diwan completes all possibilities for affixation, all possible use of the 3 vowels. | ::Prefixes to verbs and adverbs were only suspected before 2017 February 24. May be used in the future, but only as sparingly as possible. With these, extended Daman Diwan completes all possibilities for affixation, all possible use of the 3 vowels. | ||
===== Highly accurate | ===== Highly accurate Daman Diwan / miba jeto Daman Diwan ===== | ||
Highly accurate | Highly accurate Daman Diwan can use a W (or unstressed O/U) before the I of a stem and a J (or unstressed E/I) before the U of a stem in order to express the metaphorical aspect of a word in the latter case and containing objects in the former. | ||
:U→ JU is used for metaphor or analogy. Some examples: | :U→ JU is used for metaphor or analogy. Some examples: | ||
TUSO=seed; TJUSO is things analogous to seeds, e.g. sperm; or grains of sand. | TUSO=seed; TJUSO is things analogous to seeds, e.g. sperm; or grains of sand. | ||
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SITO=blood; SWITO=having blood. Lobsters are SJATO (bloodless) while fish are SWITO, creatures with blood. | SITO=blood; SWITO=having blood. Lobsters are SJATO (bloodless) while fish are SWITO, creatures with blood. | ||
:Highly accurate | :Highly accurate Daman can be difficult for some people to use; in fact, it has only once or twice been in actual usage until now (November of the year 2016); on the other hand, this feature completes all possibilities of making diphthongs with the vowels of Dama, and its use may be quite useful in the future for elaborate or artistic expounding of ideas. | ||
===== Possibility of using pairs of suffixes / juna mumo tumon jene jo===== | ===== Possibility of using pairs of suffixes / juna mumo tumon jene jo===== | ||
Every | Every Daman root ending with a consonant must take one, and only one suffix in the form of a single vowel. Would it be meaningful and viable to have two vowel suffixes? In fact, the Systematic Language or SostiMatiko, which was an experiment that led to the formation of Dama, could freely use not only two but even more suffixes, each one referring to the word formed before each suffix itself. Experimentation has shown everything about such an application. So we know that theoretically it can be possible to use some pairs of suffixes in Dama, although such have never been used until now that it takes little more time for Daman Diwan to complete 3 years of use. | ||
Possible pair of suffixes are eo→ju, ea→ja, ae→aj, ao→aw, oa→wa, oe→wi. The same suffix cannot be use twice, and no more than two suffixes can be used on one word. So let us see what would be the meaning of each of those theoretical pairs: | Possible pair of suffixes are eo→ju, ea→ja, ae→aj, ao→aw, oa→wa, oe→wi. The same suffix cannot be use twice, and no more than two suffixes can be used on one word. So let us see what would be the meaning of each of those theoretical pairs: | ||
*-eo→-ju is the verb's (-E) noun (-O), so it is equal to an active participle: TANJU =TANE TO (the person who uses the machine). WIWJU =WIWE NO, the watering thing (can or hose etc). Since this usage is always so easy in Dama, eo→ju is quite useless. | *-eo→-ju is the verb's (-E) noun (-O), so it is equal to an active participle: TANJU =TANE TO (the person who uses the machine). WIWJU =WIWE NO, the watering thing (can or hose etc). Since this usage is always so easy in Dama, eo→ju is quite useless. | ||
*-ea→-ja is the verb's (-E) way (-A), so it is equal to an adverbial participle, meaning "by doing that": TANJA =TANE BA (by means of using a machine). As this is easily expressed in | *-ea→-ja is the verb's (-E) way (-A), so it is equal to an adverbial participle, meaning "by doing that": TANJA =TANE BA (by means of using a machine). As this is easily expressed in Daman by the word BA, ea→ja is also useless. | ||
*-ae→-aj is the way's (-A) active verb (-E). RAMAJ =RAMA BE (puts something inside), so, as this is so easily expressed in ordinary Dama, ae→aj is also useless. | *-ae→-aj is the way's (-A) active verb (-E). RAMAJ =RAMA BE (puts something inside), so, as this is so easily expressed in ordinary Dama, ae→aj is also useless. | ||
*-ao→-aw is the adverb's (-A) noun (-O): RAMAW =RAMA NO (the thing which is inside). Also this is easily expressed in ordinary Dama, no need to use -ao→-aw. | *-ao→-aw is the adverb's (-A) noun (-O): RAMAW =RAMA NO (the thing which is inside). Also this is easily expressed in ordinary Dama, no need to use -ao→-aw. | ||
*-oa→-wa is the noun's (-O) way (-A), which is anyway shown by any mere adverb suffixed only by -A. The pair of suffixes -OA had been used in the SostiMatiko, forerunner of | *-oa→-wa is the noun's (-O) way (-A), which is anyway shown by any mere adverb suffixed only by -A. The pair of suffixes -OA had been used in the SostiMatiko, forerunner of Daman Diwan, in order to show that the adverbial concept refers to the whole noun-complex before the -A, and not only to the noun suffixed by the -A. To apply this to Dama, we would create phrases like RABO KUTWA (upon the tree) or TAMO BUNWA (under the sky), it surely makes sense, but still seems to be useless as we could say RABO KUTA and TAMO BUNA for the same. | ||
*-oe→-wi/-oj is the noun's (-O) verb (-E), which again seems to be quite superfluous, since the verb is already marked by the -E. However, note that the active verb in | *-oe→-wi/-oj is the noun's (-O) verb (-E), which again seems to be quite superfluous, since the verb is already marked by the -E. However, note that the active verb in Daman Diwan has 3 original senses: primordially, | ||
:the verbs with I vowel (cIcE) mean “to produce/give the cIcO noun [to the object of the verb]”; | :the verbs with I vowel (cIcE) mean “to produce/give the cIcO noun [to the object of the verb]”; | ||
:the verbs with A vowel (cAcE) mean “to use the cAcO noun”, and | :the verbs with A vowel (cAcE) mean “to use the cAcO noun”, and | ||
:the verbs with U vowel (cUcE) mean “to turn something into the cUcO noun”. | :the verbs with U vowel (cUcE) mean “to turn something into the cUcO noun”. | ||
For cUcE verbs, the suffix pair oe→wi/oj is totally superfluous and therefore useless. However, for cAcE, and especially for cIcE verbs, the pair suffix oe→wi/oj does modify the meaning: this pair suffix means "to turn something into the cAcO/cIcO noun"; for example, a transitive TISE means "to give life" (normally meant for something already living), while TISWI means "to turn into life", i.e. to turn a lifeless thing into a living thing. So, TISE could be used for e.g. water that enlivened a person exhausted by thirst, while TISWI could be used for prophet Elijah who brought the widow's son back to life. BARON WIWE means to water, throw water to a metallic object, while BARON WIWOJ means to turn the metal into liquid, i.e. melt it. | For cUcE verbs, the suffix pair oe→wi/oj is totally superfluous and therefore useless. However, for cAcE, and especially for cIcE verbs, the pair suffix oe→wi/oj does modify the meaning: this pair suffix means "to turn something into the cAcO/cIcO noun"; for example, a transitive TISE means "to give life" (normally meant for something already living), while TISWI means "to turn into life", i.e. to turn a lifeless thing into a living thing. So, TISE could be used for e.g. water that enlivened a person exhausted by thirst, while TISWI could be used for prophet Elijah who brought the widow's son back to life. BARON WIWE means to water, throw water to a metallic object, while BARON WIWOJ means to turn the metal into liquid, i.e. melt it. | ||
And yet again, such a usage is not indispensable, because to bring to life can be expressed as TISON BE, and to melt a metal can be expressed as WIWON BE in ordinary Dama, however remember that DAMA JARO, the extended | And yet again, such a usage is not indispensable, because to bring to life can be expressed as TISON BE, and to melt a metal can be expressed as WIWON BE in ordinary Dama, however remember that DAMA JARO, the extended Daman is for shortcutting expressions only and it is not meant for expressing anything that ordinary Daman cannot. | ||
Possibly some day in the future, when the population of the earth acquire fluency in Dama, some people choose to use pairs of suffixes some times, especially the pair mentioned last, to express a distinction in meaning, as long as it is not likely for the listener to confuse the second suffix of the pair for a vowel starting a following word. | Possibly some day in the future, when the population of the earth acquire fluency in Dama, some people choose to use pairs of suffixes some times, especially the pair mentioned last, to express a distinction in meaning, as long as it is not likely for the listener to confuse the second suffix of the pair for a vowel starting a following word. | ||
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=== Correctness, personalization and limitations / jeto jino, wiso jino, nejo mijo === | === Correctness, personalization and limitations / jeto jino, wiso jino, nejo mijo === | ||
Some people expect a great language to be a show of complexity like some constructed languages. | Some people expect a great language to be a show of complexity like some constructed languages. Daman is nothing like that, as it is not even a conlang; it is not a language constructed by people, but one acquired through divination (called "random" functions by the skeptic). Its non-conlang character is obvious because conlangs are regulated by people, so they are always subject to additions, new regulations and alterations. Conlangs are adjusted by their makers, while on the other hand the Daman users have to adjust themselves to the very simple means of Dama. After all, it is not possible to add anything to it, because all the possible combinations of its phonemes have already been used. | ||
: | :Daman can further evolve by discovering new combinations of words - to that, we can find no limit. The limitation is that every new combination discovered and everything else should be expressed '''according to the above rules'''; then it is perfectly correct; of course, when we say something in Dama, we should imagine ourselves in the receiver's position: "what would I understand if somebody told me that?". | ||
Although so simple, | Although so simple, Daman can be personalized in as many ways as there are people in the world. Some basics styles are known: | ||
The western style, using close vowels in the stem of dissylabic words and open vowels in the suffixes. (e.g. BIRO) | The western style, using close vowels in the stem of dissylabic words and open vowels in the suffixes. (e.g. BIRO) | ||
The oriental style, using open vowels in the stem of dissylabic words and close vowels in the suffixes. (e.g. BERU) | The oriental style, using open vowels in the stem of dissylabic words and close vowels in the suffixes. (e.g. BERU) | ||
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So far, the most practical style seems to be the western style (BIRO), while the most difficult seems to be the northern style. The southern style (BIRU), although not so elegant, is easy to understand at least by reading. The central style is both elegant and helpful in differentiating similar words, so it has a chance to become the most popular in the future. | So far, the most practical style seems to be the western style (BIRO), while the most difficult seems to be the northern style. The southern style (BIRU), although not so elegant, is easy to understand at least by reading. The central style is both elegant and helpful in differentiating similar words, so it has a chance to become the most popular in the future. | ||
Apart from these main styles, the user of | Apart from these main styles, the user of Daman can choose between K/G, T/TS/D, O/U, E/I depending on many factors that can influence one’s choice; such factors are: | ||
* differentiation: the central style can be very useful for differentiating similar words. Also, if you feel a chance to confuse M to N, you can pronounce M somewhat longer (like MM), and if you feel a K might be confused with T, pronounce T aspirate (just like English "t") and K unaspirated. | * differentiation: the central style can be very useful for differentiating similar words. Also, if you feel a chance to confuse M to N, you can pronounce M somewhat longer (like MM), and if you feel a K might be confused with T, pronounce T aspirate (just like English "t") and K unaspirated. | ||
*choosing voiced G, D for the second syllables and the corresponding voiceless K, T for the beginning of words or vice versa, can be helpful for differentiating similar words and also for additional indicating the beginning and end of each word in pronunciation. | *choosing voiced G, D for the second syllables and the corresponding voiceless K, T for the beginning of words or vice versa, can be helpful for differentiating similar words and also for additional indicating the beginning and end of each word in pronunciation. | ||
* dissimilation for taboo reasons: e.g. those who have Turkish as their first language, may choose to pronounce SEK- or SIG- instead of SIK- which in Turkish signifies the penis and its action. While Greeks can prefer "MON-" (door, window, gate) to "MUN-" which is reminiscent of the Greek word for "vulva". | * dissimilation for taboo reasons: e.g. those who have Turkish as their first language, may choose to pronounce SEK- or SIG- instead of SIK- which in Turkish signifies the penis and its action. While Greeks can prefer "MON-" (door, window, gate) to "MUN-" which is reminiscent of the Greek word for "vulva". | ||
* facilitating the memory; e.g. an English speaker may prefer to pronounce "GODU" instead of "KUTO" (high), so as to connect the word to "God" in memory; while a Turkish speaker may find it better to pronounce the same "KUTO", so as to be reminded of "KUT" (divine favor). This tactic can be used very extensively, as every | * facilitating the memory; e.g. an English speaker may prefer to pronounce "GODU" instead of "KUTO" (high), so as to connect the word to "God" in memory; while a Turkish speaker may find it better to pronounce the same "KUTO", so as to be reminded of "KUT" (divine favor). This tactic can be used very extensively, as every Daman word is reminiscent of similar words in all languages. | ||
* influences of the speakers' first language: e.g. if the speaker has no /w/ sound in his/her native language (as happens with Germans, Greeks, Italians, Turks, and others), can pronounce ɸ / β / f / v / ʋ in the place of /w/. For Greeks, the “J” is realized only as /ʝ/ or /ç/, but for most other people /j/ is easier. | * influences of the speakers' first language: e.g. if the speaker has no /w/ sound in his/her native language (as happens with Germans, Greeks, Italians, Turks, and others), can pronounce ɸ / β / f / v / ʋ in the place of /w/. For Greeks, the “J” is realized only as /ʝ/ or /ç/, but for most other people /j/ is easier. | ||
Some languages make the vowels E/O when stressed and I/U when unstressed, while other languages do the opposite. | Some languages make the vowels E/O when stressed and I/U when unstressed, while other languages do the opposite. | ||
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* facilitating word division in oral use: so, for example, it is preferable to pronounce the final /n/ as /ŋ/, and /h/ (or similar sounds) can freely be pronounced before word-initial vowels, while /x/ can be freely added to the end of monosyllabic words ending in vowels. | * facilitating word division in oral use: so, for example, it is preferable to pronounce the final /n/ as /ŋ/, and /h/ (or similar sounds) can freely be pronounced before word-initial vowels, while /x/ can be freely added to the end of monosyllabic words ending in vowels. | ||
:: | :: | ||
Of course, there must be some limitations in such personalization, so that the | Of course, there must be some limitations in such personalization, so that the Daman can function as an international auxiliary language: | ||
*It is strongly recommended that the disyllabic words have different stress / pitch / length / vowel openness (height) over their two syllables, or at least monosyllabic words should take as much time as disyllabic ones in pronunciation when not pronounced together with the previous word. | *It is strongly recommended that the disyllabic words have different stress / pitch / length / vowel openness (height) over their two syllables, or at least monosyllabic words should take as much time as disyllabic ones in pronunciation when not pronounced together with the previous word. | ||
*To pronounce | *To pronounce Daman words together is not only permitted but also encouraged, for showing in speech how words group together (in writing this can be facilitated by hyphens and punctuation). The 6 monosyllabic words A, I, O, UN, IN, AN can freely be enclitics or proclitics (joined in pronunciation with the previous or next word), but the monosyllabic words starting with consonants can be joined (as enclitics) to their preceding word only; it can be a bad habit (for possibly creating some confusion) to pronounce such monosyllabic words joint (as proclitics) to their following ones. | ||
*To write | *To write Daman words together as one word might help to show how the words combine together, but that can confuse the learners. Writing several words without word division might be used some time in the future if people are proficient in Dama; even in that case, the rule should be that no monosyllabic word starting with a consonant should be jointly written with other words, unless that monosyllabic is in the end of the set or is ending with -n in the beginning of the set. The best way to join Daman words together is by using a hyphen and not absence of dividing space. | ||
*Only the 16 letters a b d e g i j k m n o r s t u w (including the combinations TS and DS) may be used when writing | *Only the 16 letters a b d e g i j k m n o r s t u w (including the combinations TS and DS) may be used when writing Daman with the Latin alphabet. Palatal sounds (e.g. /c/, /ɟ/) should be considered phonemically same as velar (k/g), and not same as dentals (t/d). The sound /p/ should be avoided, at least by making it emphatic or ejective, and lateral sounds should not be accepted in Dama. | ||
:These limitation define the acoustic "flavor" and character of Dama, just like a Pythagorean or analogous musical scale that has limited positions so that everything played on it sounds pleasant and harmonious. | :These limitation define the acoustic "flavor" and character of Dama, just like a Pythagorean or analogous musical scale that has limited positions so that everything played on it sounds pleasant and harmonious. | ||
==== An ideal standardized form / NAMA KAWEN WAMO ==== | ==== An ideal standardized form / NAMA KAWEN WAMO ==== | ||
The very idea of Daman Diwan having an ideal standardized version seems well incongruous to its concept of being the easiest language to all and personalizable in all those ways explained previously; that is why it has a great many allophones to its phonemes, so that each person can use the easiest for him/her. Then why should we define a standardized form? It is not meant to be used by the users of Dama, and even the most enthusiastic promoter of | The very idea of Daman Diwan having an ideal standardized version seems well incongruous to its concept of being the easiest language to all and personalizable in all those ways explained previously; that is why it has a great many allophones to its phonemes, so that each person can use the easiest for him/her. Then why should we define a standardized form? It is not meant to be used by the users of Dama, and even the most enthusiastic promoter of Daman cannot use that standardized form exactly. Still, there may be some usefulness in describing such a standardized form, for that can be the "shopfront display" of Dama; it will help the language appear neat, small and easy, as it really is, before one gets to know the many allophones and alternative usages that may give a false impression that the language is too rich. Also, the ideal standardized form will set a "golden" central form to be targeted, although nobody has to achieve it. This standardized ideal form has been defined by all forms of divination, especially dreams, and by the practical usage of the language during its 4 years of use. So, all the phonemes will be presented below with their ideal standardized forms: | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
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==== languages not to be used / TJAWAN KIWA SIJO ==== | ==== languages not to be used / TJAWAN KIWA SIJO ==== | ||
While | While Daman Diwan is TIWAN (of the earth), there are innumerable languages cognate to it, which are not meant for the earth, so they are called TJAWAN (not of the earth, not for the world). | ||
TJAWAN are purely theoretical languages that might be formed by using extra phonemes which are not permitted in | TJAWAN are purely theoretical languages that might be formed by using extra phonemes which are not permitted in Daman Diwan. | ||
The most important of TJAWAN languages is called Mystic | The most important of TJAWAN languages is called Mystic Daman language or MISO TIKO DAMA KIWO SIJO. Its symbol is a rose with 100 petals (MISO TIKO literally meaning “thorn plant”, which in this context is understood as a rose bush). | ||
Mystic | Mystic Daman language includes the phoneme H, which is written in the 10 digits system by the figure “6” (properly, "A"). The phoneme H is the esoteric aspect of N. While N- means a concrete thing, H- means existence perceived by the mind, feelings, or soul, but not by the senses as N-. All roots containing H have a meaning analogous to the corresponding roots with N, but always the roots with H refer to things perceived by the mind, while those with N refer to things perceived by the senses. A few examples may be given; NAKO=searching, HAKO=curiosity, thirst for knowledge. NATO=belly, HATO=digestion, assimilation. NABO=love, HABO=goodness on a deep level (and compare to the Arabic root hbb=friendship, habib=friend). NUMO=good, HUMO=perfect goodness (here compare the “bija mantra” HUM which means divine goodness, and the most famous OM, which for Daman is another pronunciation of HUM, as O is an allophone of U, and a vowel unpreceded by a consonant is considered the same as preceded by H or a similar laryngeal sound). | ||
If H takes the place of an N in the first syllable, then its meaning is focused on the objective aspect, it refers to objective reality, while in the second syllable it refers to subjectivity or feelings, for example NINO=ceremony or ritual, HINO=sacred, NIHO=reverence, HIHO=both sacred and revered. | If H takes the place of an N in the first syllable, then its meaning is focused on the objective aspect, it refers to objective reality, while in the second syllable it refers to subjectivity or feelings, for example NINO=ceremony or ritual, HINO=sacred, NIHO=reverence, HIHO=both sacred and revered. | ||
Remembering the meaning of the words with N it is easy to know the meaning of the words that have H in place of N. Note though that | Remembering the meaning of the words with N it is easy to know the meaning of the words that have H in place of N. Note though that Daman Diwan does not make use of those words; in Daman Diwan H and other laryngeals are only possible “coverings” of the words starting with a vowel (A, O, I, UN, IN, AN and prefixed words of extended Dama). So the Mystic Daman words with H are only to find esoteric interpretations to words. For example, the Japanese name Hayakawa, in Mystic Daman is interpreted as HAJA (spirit of confrontation, courage, bravery; from NAJA=opposite to) + KAWA “looking, beholding”. | ||
Because of this connection of the phoneme N to H or to zero-consonant, N holds and important position in | Because of this connection of the phoneme N to H or to zero-consonant, N holds and important position in Daman Diwan: | ||
:For understanding the deeper meaning of a VC or a CV part of a root, we should consider the meaning of VC or CV extended by N as N+VC or CV-N. For example, for understanding the deeper meaning of -AB in all roots containing -AB (JAB, WAB, MAB, TAB, BAB, NAB, KAB, RAB, SAB), we should understand that NAB- is the central of this group of nine words: as NAB- means love, all nine roots of the -AB group signify things necessary for applying love in real life; | :For understanding the deeper meaning of a VC or a CV part of a root, we should consider the meaning of VC or CV extended by N as N+VC or CV-N. For example, for understanding the deeper meaning of -AB in all roots containing -AB (JAB, WAB, MAB, TAB, BAB, NAB, KAB, RAB, SAB), we should understand that NAB- is the central of this group of nine words: as NAB- means love, all nine roots of the -AB group signify things necessary for applying love in real life; | ||
:for understanding the deeper meaning of JA- in all roots containing JA- (JAJ, JAW, JAM, JAT, JAB, JAN, JAK, JAR, JAS), we should understand that JAN- is the central of this group of nine words: JAN- meaning pig, and symbolizing a tendency to exaggeration, overdoing due to the instincts, so all the nine words of the JA- group mean things that can be abused by overdoing because of the instincts. | :for understanding the deeper meaning of JA- in all roots containing JA- (JAJ, JAW, JAM, JAT, JAB, JAN, JAK, JAR, JAS), we should understand that JAN- is the central of this group of nine words: JAN- meaning pig, and symbolizing a tendency to exaggeration, overdoing due to the instincts, so all the nine words of the JA- group mean things that can be abused by overdoing because of the instincts. | ||
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Another TJAWAN language makes a distinction between velar Q and palatal C. The difference in meaning is very subtle; Q refers to things really objective, while C to things realized as such, but possibly not so in reality. Again the first syllable focuses on external reality, while the second one focuses on feelings and cognition. For example, QARO=indeed straight, while CARO=believed to be straight. TUQO=something really heard, while TUCO is something one things (he) heard. This is also a theoretical language. Although velars can alternate with palatals in | Another TJAWAN language makes a distinction between velar Q and palatal C. The difference in meaning is very subtle; Q refers to things really objective, while C to things realized as such, but possibly not so in reality. Again the first syllable focuses on external reality, while the second one focuses on feelings and cognition. For example, QARO=indeed straight, while CARO=believed to be straight. TUQO=something really heard, while TUCO is something one things (he) heard. This is also a theoretical language. Although velars can alternate with palatals in Daman Diwan, there the distinction is ignored: Daman Diwan uses only K (or G) which is usually velar, but the same can be pronounced as palatal without a distinction in meaning. | ||
In a dream it was found that /d͡ʒego/ means the pointed tip on the back of a spear, used to keep it upright thrust in the earth while the warrior is resting (that was called σαυρωτήρ in ancient Greek). Therefore, /d͡ʒego/ is a TJAWAN form of TIKO "plant", meaning "that which makes a thing function (apparently but not really) as a plant, i.e. standing upright". So, this is the meaning of changing t/d into /d͡ʒ/ (along with voicing all consonants, and using an open vowel in the stem): "that which makes a thing function (apparently but not really) as a ++++ (thing indicating by the original | In a dream it was found that /d͡ʒego/ means the pointed tip on the back of a spear, used to keep it upright thrust in the earth while the warrior is resting (that was called σαυρωτήρ in ancient Greek). Therefore, /d͡ʒego/ is a TJAWAN form of TIKO "plant", meaning "that which makes a thing function (apparently but not really) as a plant, i.e. standing upright". So, this is the meaning of changing t/d into /d͡ʒ/ (along with voicing all consonants, and using an open vowel in the stem): "that which makes a thing function (apparently but not really) as a ++++ (thing indicating by the original Daman Diwan word)" | ||
The most avoided TJAWAN language makes use of the sound L. It is called TAJA (“slippery”) language. The meaning of words with L is analogous to those with R, but those words with L refer always to deceitful things and deceitful, therefore dangerous, aspects. So, RURO is reality, but LULO is a completely deceitful situation (in Sumerian “LUL” means lie, deception, and in many natural languages too the sound L is used for signifying deception: e.g. English “lies”, German “Lüge”, Turkish “yalan” or “yalan dolan”). Daman Diwan strictly avoids the TAJA forms; they have a very unhealthy effect. Cultures that worshipped truth and sincerity lacked the sound L altogether, like the ancient Persians and ancient Egyptians, in Modern times the Japanese and the Māori, or used L very sparingly, as in Sanskrit where old L is usually altered to R. TAJA language is only for discovering the inner meanings of non- | The most avoided TJAWAN language makes use of the sound L. It is called TAJA (“slippery”) language. The meaning of words with L is analogous to those with R, but those words with L refer always to deceitful things and deceitful, therefore dangerous, aspects. So, RURO is reality, but LULO is a completely deceitful situation (in Sumerian “LUL” means lie, deception, and in many natural languages too the sound L is used for signifying deception: e.g. English “lies”, German “Lüge”, Turkish “yalan” or “yalan dolan”). Daman Diwan strictly avoids the TAJA forms; they have a very unhealthy effect. Cultures that worshipped truth and sincerity lacked the sound L altogether, like the ancient Persians and ancient Egyptians, in Modern times the Japanese and the Māori, or used L very sparingly, as in Sanskrit where old L is usually altered to R. TAJA language is only for discovering the inner meanings of non-Daman words. | ||
A TJAWAN language that is also avoided, is called MINO (crawling); this one can use P in place of B, and the meaning of words with P is again analogous to those with B, but P shows a feeble or pitiable aspect of the corresponding B word: e.g., BAKO=body, but PAKO=a weak or sickly body. RABO=a tree / piece of wood, but RAPO =a frail tree / piece of wood. Eastern Greek dialects, the most important today being Cypriot, have trouble pronouncing B, they usually devoice it to P, but they can pronounce PP; for natives of such languages it is suggested to pronounce PP or P' (an emphatic or ejective P) instead of mere P when using | A TJAWAN language that is also avoided, is called MINO (crawling); this one can use P in place of B, and the meaning of words with P is again analogous to those with B, but P shows a feeble or pitiable aspect of the corresponding B word: e.g., BAKO=body, but PAKO=a weak or sickly body. RABO=a tree / piece of wood, but RAPO =a frail tree / piece of wood. Eastern Greek dialects, the most important today being Cypriot, have trouble pronouncing B, they usually devoice it to P, but they can pronounce PP; for natives of such languages it is suggested to pronounce PP or P' (an emphatic or ejective P) instead of mere P when using Daman Diwan. | ||
== Invitation / wono == | == Invitation / wono == | ||
[https://www.facebook.com/dama.diwan/posts/854946541215013 Here is an invitation] to | [https://www.facebook.com/dama.diwan/posts/854946541215013 Here is an invitation] to Daman Diwan language, and if interested you can be a member [https://www.facebook.com/groups/omado.sosti.matiko/ of the group]. | ||
== Phonology and phonotactics / kumo sijo, kuma nijo == | == Phonology and phonotactics / kumo sijo, kuma nijo == | ||
Daman has 3 vowel phonemes: a, i/e, u/o. | |||
:It is also possible to use two allophones of "A", ideally /ä/ and /ə/, if that feels better for native speakers of a language that differentiates between a closer and a slightly more open "A"; in this version | :It is also possible to use two allophones of "A", ideally /ä/ and /ə/, if that feels better for native speakers of a language that differentiates between a closer and a slightly more open "A"; in this version Daman has an open and a close form of each one of the 3 vowel phonemes; the open A is /ä/ and the close A is /ə/ (or a similar pair of sounds), but both those A should be written by the same letter A. In the version with two kinds of A, the close A (/ə/) follows the chosen phonotactics for all close vowels (i, u, close A), and the open A (/ä/) follows the chosen phonotactics for all open vowels (e, o, open A): (e.g. close A in the first syllable and open A in the suffix, when the western style is used). | ||
With only one kind of A, the ideal is /ä/; ideally, I is /i/, E is /e/, U is /u/ and O is /o/, but these guidelines for reading are not strict, as long as the 3 vowel phonemes are explicitly distinguished from each other. | With only one kind of A, the ideal is /ä/; ideally, I is /i/, E is /e/, U is /u/ and O is /o/, but these guidelines for reading are not strict, as long as the 3 vowel phonemes are explicitly distinguished from each other. | ||
Extended Daman has one more vowel, which does not exist in the IPA. It is pronounced with clenched teeth, always without stress or length, and it is written by a short hyphen (-). This vowel is used to indicate an absence of the vowel A, when it is not possible to pronounce the word otherwise; e.g. W-WO means WAWO where the A has been dropped; SAT- means SATA where the second A has been dropped. Sometimes it is easy for most people to pronounce a word with a dropped A, e.g. S-KO "ignorance", T-RO "non-animal"; but when that is hard, the "-" vowel takes the place of the dropped A (for the meaning of a dropped A, see under extended Daman description). | Extended Daman has one more vowel, which does not exist in the IPA. It is pronounced with clenched teeth, always without stress or length, and it is written by a short hyphen (-). This vowel is used to indicate an absence of the vowel A, when it is not possible to pronounce the word otherwise; e.g. W-WO means WAWO where the A has been dropped; SAT- means SATA where the second A has been dropped. Sometimes it is easy for most people to pronounce a word with a dropped A, e.g. S-KO "ignorance", T-RO "non-animal"; but when that is hard, the "-" vowel takes the place of the dropped A (for the meaning of a dropped A, see under extended Daman description). | ||
Daman has 9 consonant phonemes: k/g, t/d/ts, b, n, m, j, r, w, s. | |||
There are many possible allophones, such as /v/ or /ɸ/ for w, but the use of /p/ is discouraged while "L" (lateral sounds articulated with the tongue) is not acceptable. The word final -N is best pronounced as /ŋ/ if possible to the speaker. | There are many possible allophones, such as /v/ or /ɸ/ for w, but the use of /p/ is discouraged while "L" (lateral sounds articulated with the tongue) is not acceptable. The word final -N is best pronounced as /ŋ/ if possible to the speaker. | ||
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*The aforementioned 16 letters of the Latin alphabet are permitted to be used for Dama. | *The aforementioned 16 letters of the Latin alphabet are permitted to be used for Dama. | ||
Words, mainly proper names, inserted from other languages, follow their original spelling and are written with only their first letter capital, while the true | Words, mainly proper names, inserted from other languages, follow their original spelling and are written with only their first letter capital, while the true Daman words use only lower or only upper case letters. | ||
Sometimes, even | Sometimes, even Daman words are written with only their first letter capital, to show that they are used as proper names, as the name Daman Diwan itself. | ||
*Every other writing system can also be used for writing Dama; however, the Latin alphabet is preferred. | *Every other writing system can also be used for writing Dama; however, the Latin alphabet is preferred. | ||
* | *Daman can also be written by using only the 10 numerical digits, as follows: | ||
:1 =I, i, e, j [י] | :1 =I, i, e, j [י] | ||
:2 =O, o, u, w [ו] | :2 =O, o, u, w [ו] | ||
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(This connection of letters to numerical digits has been done by means of sortition; however, there is a noted similarity to old and modern Hebrew letters, which are given in the square brackets) | (This connection of letters to numerical digits has been done by means of sortition; however, there is a noted similarity to old and modern Hebrew letters, which are given in the square brackets) | ||
So the 10 digits are quite enough to write the 12 phonemes of | So the 10 digits are quite enough to write the 12 phonemes of Daman Diwan language. | ||
*Such a small number of indispensable digits to represent | *Such a small number of indispensable digits to represent Daman means we can use only those for Morse code, so if we symbolise a dot by “.” and a dash by “-”, the necessary Morse symbols (by order of brevity, the shorter for the more frequent) are: | ||
: . =2 =O, o, u, w. | : . =2 =O, o, u, w. | ||
: - =1 =I, i, e, j | : - =1 =I, i, e, j | ||
| Line 425: | Line 425: | ||
: .-. =8 =g, G, k | : .-. =8 =g, G, k | ||
: ..- =5 =b, B | : ..- =5 =b, B | ||
:(In Dama, the difference between I/E, U/O is not phonemic. J and W as phonemes are different, but | :(In Dama, the difference between I/E, U/O is not phonemic. J and W as phonemes are different, but Daman words only start with CONSONANTS (including J, W), and then there is always a vowel after each consonant with the exception of final N (which is better, but not compulsory, to be pronounced as /ŋ/). Therefore, 16127 can only be JAJON or JAJUN, both correct in Dama; and the same happens with all other Daman words: they can be rendered totally correctly by the use of only the 10 digits, that is with a pad of only 10 digits plus a space key. The connection of the 10 digits to Latin letters is obvious, based on similarity of shape.) | ||
* | *Daman Braille (described in the last pages of https://www.academia.edu/12434367/theory_history) also uses only 10 symbols and it can be learnt in 3 minutes, while formal Braille has a repertoire of 64 possible signs (with 2 columns of 3 dots for each letter) expandable to 256 possible signs (with 2 columns of 4 dots for each letter, as available in the Segoe UI Symbol font) and requires at least 3 months to be learnt with the quickest teaching course. | ||
* | *Daman is also unique in having its own writing system which is logographic and phonemic at the same time, as explained in https://www.academia.edu/12434367/theory_history . | ||
== Links and tools for learning the | == Links and tools for learning the Daman Diwan language / Daman Diwan kiwo sijon kije sage ma muno tano == | ||
1) A hub for links: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NO7gS30eBA5RvYQjud2EL8U-JX5cOp45OdEyknln-eE/edit?usp=sharing | 1) A hub for links: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NO7gS30eBA5RvYQjud2EL8U-JX5cOp45OdEyknln-eE/edit?usp=sharing | ||