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Vrkhazhian (''Śād Warḫālali'') is a West Charrite language that is spoken by the Vrkhazhians who live in [[The Vrkhazhians|Warḫālu]]. Another name that Vrkhazhian is known by is ''Śātti'' "Our Mouth/Speech".
<big>
Vrkhazhian (''Śād Warḫāsaḫ'' "Mouth of Vrkhazh") is a language that is spoken by the Vrkhazhians who live in [[The Vrkhazhians|Warḫāsam]].
{{infobox
{{infobox
|image=VrkhazhianFlagSRLT.png
|image=VrkhazhianFlagSRLT.png
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|bg=#32cdcd
|bg=#32cdcd
|name=Vrkhazhian
|name=Vrkhazhian
|native=Śād Warḫālali, Śātti
|native=Śād Warḫāsaḫ, Warḫāsāli
|pronounce=/ˈɬɒːd wɒrˈxɒː.lɒ.li/, /ˈɬɒːt.ti/
|pronounce=[ˈɬɑːd wɑr.ˈxɑː.sɑx], [wɑr.xɑː.ˈsɑː.li]
|in=Vrkhazh (Warḫālu)
|in=Vrkhazh (Warḫāsam)
|script=???
|script=Añmānas
|tree=??? Languages
|tree=Proto-Ch'ahdic
:???
:Proto-A
::???
::Proto-AA
:::???
:::Proto-AAA
::::???
::::Old Vrkhazhian
:::::Classical Vrkhazhian
:::::'''Imperial Vrkh.'''
::::::'''Modern Vrkhazhian'''
:::::'''Common Vrkh.'''
|morph=moderately fusional and agglutinative
|morph=agglutinative, triconsonantal root-based morphology
|ms=nominative-accusative  
|ms=nominative-accusative  
|wo=SOV
|wo=Free word order, but typically verb-initial
|creator=[[User:Ahzoh|Malcolm G. Holborne]]}}
|creator=[[User:Ahzoh|Malcolm G. Holborne]]}}




==History==
==History==
===Dialects===
===Registers===
Vrkhazhian is analyzed as having two major dialects:
Vrkhazhian is divided into two primary registers:


* "Uzerian" ('''Śādu-li Uzrāwu-li''') is spoken in the south-west of Vrkhazh and named after the city from which it originated, '''Uzru-li'''.
* Imperial Vrkhazhian ('''Ḳabbāˀas''' ''"The Royal [Speech]"'') is the written variety of Vrkhazhian based upon a dialect of Old Vrkhazhian spoken by the founder of the Empire, Ezu-Nardikh the Great, and his supporters.
* "Mukhbic" ('''Śādu-li Muḫbāwu-li''') is spoken in the north-east of Vrkhazh and named after the city '''Muḫbu-li'''.
* Common Vrkhazhian ('''Lumbāˀas''' ''"The Common [Speech]"'') is the spoken variety based around the dialect of the capital city of Uzur.
 
Despite being considered dialects of the same language, they are somewhat mutually unintelligible to each other.


==Phonology==
==Phonology==
===Consonants===
===Consonants===
The table below shows the consonant phonemes found in the major dialects of Vrkhazhian.
The table below shows the 25 consonant phonemes found in Vrkhazhian. Letters in angle brackets indicate where the romanization of the phoneme differs from its IPA representation.
 
{|class="wikitable article-table" style="text-align:center;"
{|class="wikitable article-table" style="text-align:center;"
|-
|-
! rowspan="3" |  
! style="width: 8em;" rowspan="2" colspan="2" |  
! rowspan="2" colspan="2" | Bilabial
! style="width: 4em;" rowspan="2" | Bilabial
! colspan="4" | Coronal
! colspan="2" | Coronal
! rowspan="2" colspan="2" | Velar
! style="width: 4em;" rowspan="2" | Velar
! rowspan="3" | Glottal
! style="width: 4em;" rowspan="2" | Glottal
|-
|-
! colspan="2" | Central
! style="width: 4em; font-size: smaller" | Central
! colspan="2" | Lateral
! style="width: 4em; font-size: smaller" | Lateral
|-
|-
! Plain
! colspan="2" | Nasal
! Ejective
| m
! Plain
| n
! Ejective
|
! Plain
| ŋ ⟨'''''n̮'''''⟩
! Ejective
|
! Plain
! Ejective
|-
|-
! Nasal Stop
! rowspan="3" | Stop
| colspan="2" | m
! style="font-size: smaller" | Voiceless
| colspan="2" | n
| p
| colspan="2" |  
| t
| colspan="2" | ŋ ⟨'''''ñ'''''⟩
|
|
| k
| rowspan="3" | ʔ ⟨'''''ˀ'''''⟩  
|-
|-
! Oral Stop
! style="font-size: smaller" | Ejective
| p b
| pʼ ⟨'''''ṗ'''''⟩
| pʼ ⟨'''''ṗ'''''⟩
| t d
| tʼ ⟨'''''ṭ'''''⟩
| tʼ ⟨'''''ṭ'''''⟩
|
|
|
| k g
| kʼ ⟨'''''ḳ'''''⟩
| kʼ ⟨'''''ḳ'''''⟩
| ʔ ⟨'''''ʾ'''''⟩
|-
|-
! Fricative
! style="font-size: smaller" | Voiced
| b
| d
|
| g
|-
! rowspan="3" | Fricative
! style="font-size: smaller" | Voiceless
| f
| s
| ɬ ⟨'''''ś'''''⟩
| x ⟨'''''ḫ'''''⟩
|  
|  
|-
! style="font-size: smaller" | Ejective
|
| sʼ ⟨'''''ṣ'''''⟩
| ɬʼ ⟨'''''ṣ́'''''⟩
|
|  
|  
| s z
|-
| (t)sʼ ⟨'''''ṣ'''''⟩
! style="font-size: smaller" | Voiced
| ɬ ⟨'''''ś'''''⟩
|
| (t)ɬʼ ⟨'''''ṣ́'''''⟩
| z
| x ⟨'''''ḫ'''''⟩ ɣ ⟨'''''ğ'''''⟩
| ɮ ⟨'''''ź'''''⟩
|
|  
|  
|-
! colspan="2" | Liquid
|
| r
| l
|  
|  
|
|-
|-
! Liquid
! colspan="2" | Semivowel
| colspan="2" | w
| w
| colspan="2" | r
|
| colspan="2" | l
|
| colspan="2" | j ⟨'''''y'''''⟩
| j ⟨'''''y'''''⟩
|  
|  
|-
|}
|}
All consonants except for /j w ʔ/ can be geminated (pronounced twice as long) which is indicated in writing by simply doubling the letter.


===Vowels===
===Vowels===
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|-
|-
!
!
! style="width: 50px; " |Front
! style="width: 70px; " |Front
! style="width: 50px; " |Back
! style="width: 70px; " |Back
|-
|-
!Close
!Close
Line 105: Line 125:
!Open
!Open
| ɛ ɛː
| ɛ ɛː
| ɒ ɒː
| ɑ ɑː
|}
|}


All consonants and vowels distinguish length phonemically. Long consonants are represented in writing as double consonants while long vowels are written with a macron (ā, ē, ī, ū) or a circumflex (â, ê, î, û). The usage of a circumflex in writing is mainly to indicate vowel coalescence as a result of the contraction of the weak consonants /ʔ j w/. Phonetically, long vowels are one-and-a-half times as long as short vowels when they are unstressed and twice as long as short vowels when they are stressed.
The short vowels /ɛ ɑ i u/ are represented in writing as ⟨e a i u⟩ while the long vowels /ɛː ɑː iː uː/ are either represented with a macron ⟨ē, ā, ī, ū⟩ or a circumflex ⟨ê, â, î, û⟩. The usage of a circumflex in writing is to indicate vowel coalescence as a result of the contraction of the weak consonants /ʔ j w/.


===Allophony===
===Allophony===
====Plosives====
====Plosives====
*The plosives /p pʼ b t tʼ d k kʼ g/ assimilate in voicing when they precede a plosive of the same place of articulation. An example of this allophony is demonstrated with the noun '''waddim''' "shield": under normal circumstances its bound form is '''wad'''; however, when the first person plural possessive suffix '''-ti''' is  added, it becomes '''watti''' "our shield"
*The plosives /p b t d k g/ assimilate in voicing when they precede a plosive of the same place of articulation. An example of this allophony is demonstrated with the verb '''alad-''' "fight, oppose": under normal circumstances its stem is '''alad-''' such as in '''aladna''' "I fought, I opposed"; however, when, for example, the first person plural subject suffix '''-ta''' is  added, it becomes '''alatta''' "we fought, we opposed"
*The plosives /t tʼ d/ also assimilate in voice and manner of articulation when they precede the fricatives /s sʼ z ɬ ɬʼ/
*The plosives /p b t d k g/ also assimilate in voice and manner of articulation when they precede fricatives of the same place of articulation


====Nasals====
====Nasals====
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====Fricatives====
====Fricatives====
*the fricatives /s sʼ z ɬ ɬʼ/ and approximant /l/ assimilate in voice and manner of articulation when they precede another fricative of the same place of articulation.
*the fricatives /s z ɬ ɮ/ assimilate in voice and manner of articulation when they precede another fricative of the same place of articulation.
*the fricatives /s z ɬ ɮ/ become affricates word-initially.
 
====Other====
*The velar consonants /ŋ k g x/ become partially-rounded [ŋ͗ k̹ g͗ x̹] or fully-rounded [ŋʷ kʷ gʷ xʷ] before back vowels.
 
===Symmetrical Assimilation===
{|
|
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Components
! Result
|-
| b + p
| rowspan="2" | pp
|-
| m + p
|-
| p + b
| rowspan="2" | bb
|-
| m + b
|-
|}
|
|
|
|
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Components
! Result
|-
| d + t
| rowspan="2" | tt
|-
| n + t
|-
| t + d
| rowspan="2" | dd
|-
| n + d
|-
|}
|
|
|
|
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Components
! Result
|-
| g + k
| rowspan="2" | kk
|-
| n̮ + k
|-
| k + g
| rowspan="2" | gg
|-
| n̮ + g
|-
|}
|}
 
===Asymmetrical Assimilation===
{|
|
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Components
! Result
|-
| p + f
| rowspan="3" | ff
|-
| b + f
|-
| m + f
|-
|}
|
|
|
|
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Components
! Result
|-
| t + s
| rowspan="3" | ss
|-
| d + s
|-
| n + s
|-
|-
| t + z
| rowspan="3" | zz
|-
| d + z
|-
| n + z
|-
|}
|
|
|
|
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Components
! Result
|-
| t + ś
| rowspan="3" | śś
|-
| d + ś
|-
| n + ś
|-
| t + ź
| rowspan="3" | źź
|-
| d + ź
|-
| n + ź
|-
|}
|
|
|
|
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Components
! Result
|-
| k + ḫ
| rowspan="3" | ḫḫ
|-
| g + ḫ
|-
| n̮ + ḫ
|-
|}
|}


===Syllable Structure and Prosody===
===Syllable Structure and Prosody===
The basic syllable structure is maximally (C)V(V)(C) whereby any syllable can begin with any consonant except for /ʔ/ and any syllable can end with any consonant except for /ʔ j w/. Vrkhazhian strongly dislikes consonant clusters in the onset or coda of a syllable and typically inserts vowels to break the offending clusters. The epenthetic vowels typically mirror the adjacent vowel.
The basic syllable structure is maximally (C)V(V)(C) whereby any syllable can begin with any consonant except for /ʔ/ and any syllable can end with any consonant except for /ʔ j w/. Vrkhazhian strongly dislikes consonant clusters in the onset or coda of a syllable and typically inserts vowels to break the offending clusters. The epenthetic vowels typically mirror the adjacent vowel.


Stress in Vrkhazhian is highly predictable as it is based on syllable weight, of which there are three: light (V, CV); heavy (CVC, CV̄, CV̂), and superheavy (CV̄C, CV̂C) and stress is always placed on the last, heaviest syllable of a word.
Stress in Vrkhazhian is based on syllable weight, of which there are three degrees: light (V, CV); heavy (CVC, CV̄, CV̂), and superheavy (CV̄C, CV̂C).


==Grammar==
==Grammar==
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{{main|Nouns in Vrkhazhian}}
{{main|Nouns in Vrkhazhian}}


Vrkhazhian nouns are called '''ğimū''' (singular '''ğimum'''). They are declined for case, gender, and number. Specifically there are two cases (nominative and oblique) and two numbers (singular and plural). Additionally, Vrkhazhian has two grammatical genders: masculine and feminine. These genders are not strictly based on sex and the gender of non-human nouns is somewhat unpredictable.
Vrkhazhian nouns are called '''ğanūm''' (singular '''ğanum'''). They are declined for case, gender, and number. Specifically there are four cases (nominative, vocative, accusative, instrumental, and vocative) and two numbers (singular and plural). Additionally, Vrkhazhian has two grammatical genders: masculine and feminine. When referring to humans, deities, and certain animals, masculine refers to beings and animals of the male sex as well as beings that identify with the male gender while feminine refers to beings and animals of the female sex as well as beings that identify with the female gender. When referring to non-humans, masculine refers to wild or dangerous animals (e.g. '''sammali''' "crocodile") or inanimate non-living things (e.g. '''adgi''' "sand") while feminine refers to domesticated or safe animals (e.g. '''ḫusu''' "horse") or more animate non-living things (e.g. '''masû''' "sea").


====Verbal morphology====
====Verbal morphology====
{{main|Verbs in Vrkhazhian}}
{{main|Verbs in Vrkhazhian}}


Vrkhazhian verbs are called '''narīban''' (singular '''narība'''). Because Vrkhazhian is a triconsonantal root language, the fundamental part of the verb form is the transfix, a discontinuous affix inserted between a root, though they primarily only convey the grammatical voices (active and passive). There are only two tenses (future and non-future) and these are indicated by prefixes attached to the base form. Additionally, there are also two moods (indicative and subjunctive) although the indicative is unmarked. Lastly, verbs are also conjugated for number, singular and plural, with the plural indicated by the suffix '''-am'''.
Vrkhazhian verbs are called '''narībūm''' (singular '''narībum'''). Because Vrkhazhian is a triconsonantal root language, the fundamental part of the verb form is the transfix, a discontinuous affix inserted between a root, though they primarily only convey the grammatical voices (active and passive). There are only two tenses (future and non-future) and these are indicated by prefixes attached to the base form. Additionally, there are also two moods (indicative and subjunctive) although the indicative is unmarked. Lastly, verbs are also conjugated for number, singular and plural, with the plural indicated by the suffix '''-am'''.


When referring to a particular verb pattern, they are referred to by a derivation of the canonical (exemplary) verb '''ṣ-r-s''' (to throw, to say). For example, when referring to the verb pattern of the citation form of a verb, which is the active present singular indicative, it is called '''ṣaras''' because that is the active present singular form of the verb.
When referring to a particular verb pattern, they are referred to by a derivation of the canonical (exemplary) verb '''p-r-ḫ''' (to say, to speak). For example, when referring to the verb pattern of the citation form of a verb, which is the first person singular realis, it is called '''paruḫna''' because that is the first person singular realis form of the verb.


====Adjectival morphology====
====Adjectival morphology====
Adjectives in Vrkhazhian are marked for gender, case, and number in agreement with the noun they modify.
Adjectives in Vrkhazhian are marked for gender, case, and number in agreement with the noun they modify.


Most adjectives are derived from verbs and take the form C₁aC₂C₂aC₃. Below is an example adjective derived from the verb '''s-ǧ-l''' (to be old) with the meaning of "old":
Most adjectives are derived from verbs and take the form C₁aC₂C₂aC₃. Below is an example adjective derived from the verb '''s-g-l''' (to be old) with the meaning of "old":
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ s-ǧ-l (to be old)
|+ s-g-l (to be old)
! rowspan=2| || colspan=2 | Nominative || colspan=2 | Oblique
! rowspan=2| || colspan=2 | Nominative || colspan=2 | Accusative || colspan=2 | Genitive
|-
|-
! Singular || Plural || Singular || Plural
! Singular || Plural || Singular || Plural || Singular || Plural
|-
|-
! Masculine
! Masculine
| ''saǧǧal-im'' || ''saǧǧal-ī'' || rowspan=2 | ''saǧǧal-am'' || rowspan=2 | ''saǧǧal-ā''
| ''saggal-im'' || ''saggal-īm''|| ''saggal-is'' || ''saggal-īs'' || ''saggal-in'' || ''saggal-īn''
|-
|-
! Feminine
! Feminine
| ''saǧǧal-um'' || ''saǧǧal-ū''
| ''saggal-um'' || ''saggal-ūm'' || ''saggal-us'' || ''saggal-ūs'' || ''saggal-un'' || ''saggal-ūn''
|-
! Neuter
| ''saggal-as'' || ''saggal-ās'' || ''saggal-as'' || ''saggal-ās'' || ''saggal-aḫ'' || ''saggal-āḫ''
|-
|-
|}
|}


=====Demonstrative Adjectives=====
=====Demonstrative Adjectives=====
Like English, Vrkhazhian makes a two-way distinction between near ('this, these' known as "proximal") and far ('that, those' known as "distal") demonstrative expressions. Besides number, as in English, Vrkhazhian also distinguishes masculine and feminine gender as well as case. Additionally, the distal demonstrative adjectives can function as third person pronouns when referring to non-human entities.
Like English, Vrkhazhian makes a two-way distinction between near ('this, these' known as "proximal") and far ('that, those' known as "distal") demonstrative expressions. Besides number, as in English, Vrkhazhian also distinguishes masculine and feminine gender as well as case.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
{| class="wikitable"
|+Proximal Demonstrative ("this", "these")
|+Demonstrative Adjectives
! colspan=2 rowspan=2| Deixis || colspan=2 | Nominative || colspan=2 | Oblique
|-
|-
! Singular || Plural || Singular || Plural
! style="width: 6em;" rowspan="2" |  
! colspan="2" | Feminine
! colspan="2" | Masculine
! colspan="2" | Neuter
! colspan="2" | Inanimate
|-
|-
! rowspan=2|Proximal
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Singular
!<small>masculine</small>
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Plural
| ''eḫḫ-im'' || ''eḫḫ-ī'' || rowspan=2 | ''eḫḫ-am'' || rowspan=2 | ''eḫḫ-ā''
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Singular
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Plural
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Singular
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Plural
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Singular
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Plural
|-
|-
!<small>feminine</small>
! Nominative
| ''eḫḫ-um'' || ''eḫḫ-ū''
| ''aḫḫ-um''
| ''aḫḫ-ūwa''
| ''aḫḫ-im''
| ''aḫḫ-īya''
| ''aḫḫ-am''
| ''aḫḫ-āya''
| rowspan="2" | ''aḫḫ-as''
| rowspan="2" | ''aḫḫ-āsa''
|-
|-
! rowspan=2|Distal
! Accusative
!<small>masculine</small>
| ''aḫḫ-us''
| ''lî-m'' || ''lî'' || rowspan=2 | ''lâ-m'' || rowspan=2 | ''lâ''
| ''aḫḫ-ūsa''
| ''aḫḫ-is''
| ''aḫḫ-īsa''
| ''aḫḫ-as''
| ''aḫḫ-āsa''
|-
|-
!<small>feminine</small>
! Ergative
| ''lû-m'' || ''lû''
| ''aḫḫ-un''
| ''aḫḫ-ūna''
| ''aḫḫ-in''
| ''aḫḫ-īna''
| ''aḫḫ-an''
| ''aḫḫ-āna''
| ''aḫḫ-an''
| ''aḫḫ-āna''
|-
|-
! Genitive
| ''aḫḫ-uḫ''
| ''aḫḫ-ūwa''
| ''aḫḫ-iḫ''
| ''aḫḫ-īya''
| ''aḫḫ-aḫ''
| ''aḫḫ-āya''
| ''aḫḫ-aḫ''
| ''aḫḫ-āya''
|-
|}
|}


=====Interrogative Adjectives=====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
Vrkhazhian possesses a simple set of interrrogative adjectives:
|+Distal Demonstrative ("that", "those")
 
{| class="wikitable"
|+Interrogative Adjectives
! colspan=2 rowspan=2 | || colspan=2 | Nominative || colspan=2 | Oblique
|-
|-
! Singular || Plural || Singular || Plural
! style="width: 6em;" rowspan="2" |  
! colspan="2" | Feminine
! colspan="2" | Masculine
! colspan="2" | Neuter
! colspan="2" | Inanimate
|-
|-
! rowspan=2| "Who/What"
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Singular
!<small>masculine</small>
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Plural
| ''yall-im'' || ''yall-ī'' || rowspan=2 | ''yall-am'' || rowspan=2 | ''yall-ā''
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Singular
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Plural
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Singular
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Plural
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Singular
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Plural
|-
|-
!<small>feminine</small>
! Nominative
| ''yall-um'' || ''yall-ū''
| ''idd-um''
| ''idd-ūwa''
| ''idd-im''
| ''idd-īya''
| ''idd-am''
| ''idd-āya''
| rowspan="2" | ''idd-as''
| rowspan="2" | ''idd-āsa''
|-
|-
! rowspan=2| "Whose"
! Accusative
!<small>masculine</small>
| ''idd-us''
| '''' || '''' || '''' || ''''
| ''idd-ūsa''
| ''idd-is''
| ''idd-īsa''
| ''idd-as''
| ''idd-āsa''
|-
|-
!<small>feminine</small>
! Ergative
| '''' || '''' || '''' || ''''
| ''idd-un''
| ''idd-ūna''
| ''idd-in''
| ''idd-īna''
| ''idd-an''
| ''idd-āna''
| ''idd-an''
| ''idd-āna''
|-
|-
! rowspan=2| "Which"
! Genitive
!<small>masculine</small>
| ''idd-uḫ''
| '''' || '''' || '''' || ''''
| ''idd-ūwa''
| ''idd-iḫ''
| ''idd-īya''
| ''idd-aḫ''
| ''idd-āya''
| ''idd-aḫ''
| ''idd-āya''
|-
|}
 
===Pronouns===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Imperial Vrkhazhian Pronouns
|-
|-
!<small>feminine</small>
! rowspan="3" |  
| '''' || '''' || '''' || ''''
! colspan="8" | Independent
|-
! colspan="2" | Bound
! rowspan=2| "How Many"
!<small>masculine</small>
| '''' || '''' || '''' || ''''
|-
|-
!<small>feminine</small>
! colspan="4" | Nominative
| '''' || '''' || '''' || ''''
! rowspan="2" colspan="2" | Accusative
! rowspan="2" colspan="2" | Ergative
! rowspan="2" colspan="2" | Possessive
|-
|-
|}
! colspan="2" | Affirmative
 
! colspan="2" | Negative
===Pronouns===
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2" |
! colspan="2" | Nominative
! colspan="2" | Oblique
! colspan="2" | Possessive Suffix
|-
|-
! colspan="2" | Person
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Person
! Singular
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Singular
! Plural
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Plural
! Singular
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Singular
! Plural
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Plural
! Singular
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Singular
! Plural
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Plural
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Singular
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Plural
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Singular
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Plural
|-
|-
! colspan="2" | 1st
! 1st
| ''anu''
| ''āni''
| ''adu''
| ''āti''
| ''enêk''
| ''tunni''
| ''edêk''
| ''tutti''
| ''nêsi''
| ''têsi''
| ''nêni''
| ''têni''
| ''-ni''
| ''-ni''
| ''-ti''
| ''-ti''
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2nd
! 2nd
! masculine
| ''āma''
| ''mī''
| ''āman''
| ''mīn''
| ''tumma''
| rowspan=2 | ''mā''
| ''tumman''
| rowspan=2 | ''mān''
| ''mêsi''
| ''mināsi''
| ''mêni''
| ''mināni''
| ''-mi''
| ''-mi''
| ''-min''
| ''-min''
|-
|-
! feminine
! 3rd
| ''mū''
| ''āsa''
| ''mūn''
| ''āsan''
| ''-mu''
| ''tussa''
| ''-mun''
| ''tussan''
|-
| ''kêsi''
! rowspan="2" | 3rd
| ''kināsi''
! masculine
| ''kêni''
| ''kī''
| ''kināni''
| ''kīn''
| rowspan=2 | ''kā''
| rowspan=2 | ''kān''
| ''-ki''
| ''-ki''
| ''-kin''
| ''-kin''
|-
|-
! feminine
|}
| ''kū''
 
| ''kūn''
 
| ''-ku''
 
| ''-kun''
=====Interrogative and Relative Pronouns=====
Vrkhazhian possesses a simple set of interrrogative pronouns that also serve as relative pronouns:
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+Imperial Vrkhazhian Interrogative Adjectives
|-
! rowspan="2" colspan="2" |
! colspan="2" | Feminine
! colspan="2" | Masculine
! colspan="2" | Neuter
! colspan="2" | Inanimate
|-
|-
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Singular
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Plural
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Singular
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Plural
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Singular
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Plural
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Singular
! style="width: 4.2em;" | Plural
|-
! style="width: 7em;" rowspan="4" | "Who / What"
! style="width: 6em;" | Nominative
| ''ḫamt-um''
| ''ḫamt-ūwa''
| ''ḫamt-im''
| ''ḫamt-īya''
| ''ḫamt-am''
| ''ḫamt-āya''
| rowspan="2" | ''ḫamt-as''
| rowspan="2" | ''ḫamt-āsa''
|-
! Accusative
| ''ḫamt-us''
| ''ḫamt-ūsa''
| ''ḫamt-is''
| ''ḫamt-īsa''
| ''ḫamt-as''
| ''ḫamt-āsa''
|-
! Ergative
| ''ḫamt-un''
| ''ḫamt-ūna''
| ''ḫamt-in''
| ''ḫamt-īna''
| ''ḫamt-an''
| ''ḫamt-āna''
| ''ḫamt-an''
| ''ḫamt-āna''
|-
! Genitive
| ''ḫamt-uḫ''
| ''ḫamt-ūwa''
| ''ḫamt-iḫ''
| ''ḫamt-īya''
| ''ḫamt-aḫ''
| ''ḫamt-āya''
| ''ḫamt-aḫ''
| ''ḫamt-āya''
|-
! colspan="10" |
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | 4th
! rowspan="4" | "How Many"
! masculine
! Nominative
| ''likkī''
| ''???''
| ''likkīn''
| ''???''
| rowspan=2 | ''likkā''
| ''???''
| rowspan=2 | ''likkān''
| ''???''
| ''-kīya''
| ''???''
| ''-kīyan''
| ''???''
| ''???''
| ''???''
|-
! Accusative
| ''???''
| ''???''
| ''???''
| ''???''
| ''???''
| ''???''
| ''???''
| ''???''
|-
! Ergative
| ''???''
| ''???''
| ''???''
| ''???''
| ''???''
| ''???''
| ''???''
| ''???''
|-
! Genitive
| ''???''
| ''???''
| ''???''
| ''???''
| ''???''
| ''???''
| ''???''
| ''???''
|-
|-
! feminine
| ''likkū''
| ''likkūn''
| ''-kūwa''
| ''-kūwan''
|}
|}


===Numerals===
===Numerals===
Vrkhazhian uses a base-12 system of numerals, which is a positional notation numeral system using twelve as its base. In this system, the number ten can be written as ⟨X⟩, and the number eleven as ⟨E⟩.
Vrkhazhian uses a base-12 system of numerals, which is a positional notation numeral system using twelve as its base. In this system, the number ten can be written as ⟨X⟩, and the number eleven as ⟨E⟩.
Numerals behave like noun/pronouns.
The table below lists the numbers from 1 to 12.     
The table below lists the numbers from 1 to 12.     


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Ṣ́unyīʾan "Numbers"
|+ Numbers
|-
|-
! Glyph
! Glyph
Line 308: Line 642:
! [[File:Ayn.PNG|30px|Tibsa]]
! [[File:Ayn.PNG|30px|Tibsa]]
! 1
! 1
| ''tibs-''
| ''tibsas''
| ''tabbas-''
| ''tabbas-''
|-
|-
! [[File:Nim.PNG|30px|Susra]]
! [[File:Nim.PNG|30px|Susra]]
! 2
! 2
| ''śiṭṭ-''
| ''śiṭṭas''
| ''śaddaṭ-''
| ''śaddaṭ-''
|-
|-
!  
!  
! 3
! 3
| ''meǧēl-''
| ''miḫlas''
| ''maǧǧal-''
| ''maḫḫal-''
|-
|-
!  
!  
! 4
! 4
| ''ṣebēs-''
| ''???''
| ''ṣabbas-''
| ''???''
|-
|-
!  
!  
! 5
! 5
| ''kurk-''
| ''???''
| ''karrak-''
| ''???''
|-
|-
!  
!  
! 6
! 6
| ''tuǧt-''
| ''taftas''
| ''taǧǧat-''
| ''taffat-''
|-
|-
!  
!  
! 7
! 7
| ''menēp-''
| ''???''
| ''mannap-''
| ''???''
|-
|-
!  
!  
! 8
! 8
| ''ḳerēd-''
| ''???''
| ''ḳarrad-''
| ''???''
|-
|-
!  
!  
! 9
! 9
| ''yasn-''
| ''nuḫras''
| ''yassan-''
| ''naḫḫar-''
|-
|-
!  
!  
! X
! X
| ''naḫr-''
| ''???''
| ''naḫḫar-''
| ''???''
|-
|-
!  
!  
! E
! E
| ''belēś-''
| ''???''
| ''ballaś-''
| ''???''
|-
|-
!  
!  
! 10
! 10
| ''ḫerēṭ-''
| ''ḫarṭas''
| ''ḫarraṭ-''
| ''ḫarraṭ-''
|}
|}
Line 370: Line 704:
{{main|Syntax in Vrkhazhian}}
{{main|Syntax in Vrkhazhian}}
====Nominal phrases====
====Nominal phrases====
Noun phrases have the following overall order: (demonstratives) noun (numeral)-(adjective)-(relative clause)
Noun phrases have the following overall order: (numeral) noun (genitive noun) (adjective/relative clause) (demonstratives)
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| Align="center" | ''eḫḫum'' || Align="center" | ''śimum''
| Align="center" | ''śimās'' || Align="center" | ''aḫās''
|-
|-
| this-<span class="smallcaps">fem.sg</span> || house-<span class="smallcaps">fem.sg</span>
| house-<span class="smallcaps">nom/acc.inan.sg</span> || this-<span class="smallcaps">nom/acc.inan.sg</span>
|-
|-
| Align="center" colspan='2'| this house
| Align="center" colspan='2'| this house
Line 382: Line 716:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| Align="center" | ''eḫḫū'' || Align="center" | ''śimū'' || Align="center" | ''mannabū''
| Align="center" | ''śimās'' || Align="center" | ''mannabās'' || Align="center" | ''aḫās''
|-
|-
| this-<span class="smallcaps">fem.pl</span> || house-<span class="smallcaps">fem.pl</span> || beautiful-<span class="smallcaps">fem.pl</span>
| house-<span class="smallcaps">nom/acc.inan.pl</span> || beautiful-<span class="smallcaps">nom/acc.inan.pl</span> || this-<span class="smallcaps">nom/acc.inan.pl</span>
|-
|-
| Align="center" colspan='3'| these beautiful houses
| Align="center" colspan='3'| these beautiful houses
Line 392: Line 726:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| Align="center" | ''eḫḫū'' || Align="center" | ''ṣebēs'' || Align="center" | ''śimam''
| Align="center" | ''tufta'' || Align="center" | ''śimāḫ'' || Align="center" | ''aḫas''
|-
|-
| this-<span class="smallcaps">fem.sg</span> || four-<span class="smallcaps">cons.fem.sg</span> || house-<span class="smallcaps">obl.fem.sg</span>
| six-<span class="smallcaps">nom/acc.inan.sg</span> || house-<span class="smallcaps">gen.inan.pl</span> || this-<span class="smallcaps">nom/acc.inan.sg</span>
|-
|-
| Align="center" colspan='3'| these four houses
| Align="center" colspan='3'| these six houses
|-
|-
|}
|}
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| Align="center" | ''eḫḫū'' || Align="center" | ''ṣebēs'' || Align="center" | ''śimam'' || Align="center" | ''mannabū''
| Align="center" | ''tufta'' || Align="center" | ''śimāḫ'' || Align="center" | ''mannabas'' || Align="center" | ''aḫas''
|-
|-
| this-<span class="smallcaps">fem.sg</span> || house-<span class="smallcaps">cons.fem.sg</span> || four-<span class="smallcaps">obl.fem.sg</span> || beautiful-<span class="smallcaps">fem.sg</span>
| six-<span class="smallcaps">nom/acc.inan.sg</span> || house-<span class="smallcaps">gen.inan.pl</span> || beautiful-<span class="smallcaps">nom/acc.fem.sg</span> || this-<span class="smallcaps">nom/acc.inan.sg</span>
|-
|-
| Align="center" colspan='4'| these four beautiful houses
| Align="center" colspan='4'| these six beautiful houses
|-
|-
|}
|}
Relative clauses are made by infixing -ess- in the verb of the relative clause
Relative clauses are made by infixing '''-ēs-''' to the verb subject suffix of the relative clause:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| Align="center" | ''ḳebbim'' || Align="center" | ''laryāmābki'' || Align="center" | ''messāḫki''
| Align="center" | ''ḳebbis'' || Align="center" | ''assalmabakki'' || Align="center" | ''māˀaḫtēsi''
|-
|-
| king-<span class="smallcaps">masc.sg</span> || people-<span class="smallcaps">cons.sg-3ms.poss</span> || <span class="smallcaps">real-<log></span>unite<span class="smallcaps">-3ms.real</span>
| king-<span class="smallcaps">nom.masc.sg</span> || people\<span class="smallcaps">cons.inan.sg-3ms.obl</span> || <span class="smallcaps">nfut-</span>put_together<span class="smallcaps">-3ms.rel</span>
|-
|-
| Align="center" colspan='3'| a king who united his people
| Align="center" colspan='3'| a king who united his people
|-
|-
|}
|}
Relative clauses can also be made by the use of the relative pronouns essûli/essîli "(the one) who" and kâli "(the place) where"
Relative clauses can also be made by the use of the interrogative pronoun '''arr-''' "(the one) who", agreeing in number and gender with the main clause's referent.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| Align="center" | ''ḳebbim'' || Align="center" | ''essîli'' || Align="center" | ''laryāmābki'' || Align="center" | ''māḫki''
| Align="center" | ''assalmabas'' || Align="center" | ''arras'' || Align="center" | ''ḳebbis'' || Align="center" | ''māˀaḫti''
|-
|-
| king-<span class="smallcaps">masc.sg</span> || who-<span class="smallcaps">masc</span>|| people-<span class="smallcaps">cons.sg-3ms.poss</span> || <span class="smallcaps">real-</span>unite<span class="smallcaps">-3ms.real</span>
| king-<span class="smallcaps">nom.masc.sg</span> || who-<span class="smallcaps">nom/acc.inan.sg</span>|| people\<span class="smallcaps">cons.inan.sg-3ms.obl</span> || <span class="smallcaps">nfut-</span>put_together<span class="smallcaps">-3ms</span>
|-
|-
| Align="center" colspan='4'| a king who united his people
| Align="center" colspan='4'| the people who the king united
|-
|-
|}
|}
Line 431: Line 765:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| Align="center" | ''nammağduli'' || Align="center" | ''kâli'' || Align="center" | ''rabādī'' || Align="center" | ''naḳūstin''
| Align="center" | ''ummuḫdas'' || Align="center" | ''arras'' || Align="center" | ''ku'' || Align="center" | ''rabdāmūs'' || Align="center" | ''taḳūstan''
|-
|-
| palace-<span class="smallcaps">def.nom.fem.sg</span> || where-<span class="smallcaps">fem</span>|| guards-<span class="smallcaps">nom.masc.pl</span> || <span class="smallcaps">irr-</span>lie_down<span class="smallcaps">-3mp.irr</span>
| palace-<span class="smallcaps">nom/acc.inan.sg</span> || who-<span class="smallcaps">nom/acc.inan.sg</span> || at || guards-<span class="smallcaps">nom.fem.pl</span> || <span class="smallcaps">futi</span>-lie_down-<span class="smallcaps">3fp</span>
|-
|-
| Align="center" colspan='4'| the palace where guards will reside
| Align="center" colspan='5'| the palace where guards might reside
|-
|-
|}
|}


====Sentence syntax====
====Sentence syntax====
The basic word order of Vrkhazhian is SOV. Vrkhazhian has two voices, active and applicative:
The basic word order of Vrkhazhian is SOV. Vrkhazhian has two primary voices, active and applicative:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| Align="center" | ''alādīli''  || Align="center" | ''śunā'' || Align="center" | ''āmkin''  
| Align="center" | ''aldāmīs''  || Align="center" | ''ilgūn'' || Align="center" | ''amtan''  
|-
|-
| warrior-<span class="smallcaps">nom.masc.def.pl</span> || fish-<span class="smallcaps">obl.fem.pl</span> || <span class="smallcaps">real</span>-eat<span class="smallcaps">-3ms.real</span>
| warrior-<span class="smallcaps">nom.masc.pl</span> || fish-<span class="smallcaps">acc.fem.pl</span> || <span class="smallcaps">nfut</span>-eat\<span class="smallcaps">act</span>-<span class="smallcaps">3mp</span>
|-
|-
| Align="center" colspan='3' | The warriors ate some fish
| Align="center" colspan='3' | The warriors ate some fish
|}  
|}  


The verb root '''ʾ-m-m''' (to eat), in the first example, is conjugated for active nonfuture masculine singular in the active sentence agreeing in number and gender with the subject "warriors", while the same verb root in the second example is conjugated in the applicative nonfuture ... plural, agreeing in number and gender with the subject "...".
{| class="wikitable"
 
==Writing System==
The Vrkhazhian Akhuva (ʾAḵva Yatvṛḵažaẏka [axβa jatβɹ̩xaʝæe̯ka]) is the official writing script of Vrkhazhian. The script consists of 33 letters, 12 numeral glyphs, and 6 vowel diacritics.
The writing direction of the script is boustrophedon, and can start in any horizontal direction preferred, though the most common starting direction is Right-to-Left.
 
===History===
The script has been in use for at least 950 years, with few changes and alterations to the letter forms since it's inception. The script is a descendant of the Proto-Vrkhazhian logographic script.
 
===Letter names===
====Standard letters====
The table below lists the 34 letters of the Akhva that are shared by both Uzerian and Mukhebic:
{|
|
{| class="wikitable" id="letters_chart"
|+ʾAḵva Yat-Vṛḵažaẏka
|-
|-
! Letter !! Name !! width="100px" | Meaning !! Phoneme
| Align="center" | ''aldāmīs'' || Align="center" | ''ḫagrākan'' || Align="center" | ''ilgūn'' || Align="center" | ''āˀamtan''
|-
|-
| [[File:Alakh.PNG|30px|ʾAlaḵ]] || ʾAlaḵa || wind, breath || '''ʾ''' [ʔ]
| warrior-<span class="smallcaps">nom.masc.pl</span> || dog-<span class="smallcaps">acc.fem.pl</span>-<span class="smallcaps">3mp</span> || fish-<span class="smallcaps">acc.fem.pl</span> || <span class="smallcaps">nfut</span>-eat\<span class="smallcaps">appl</span>-<span class="smallcaps">3mp</span>
|-
|-
| [[File:Khav.PNG|30px|Ḵava]] || Ḵava || human || '''ḵ''' [x]
| Align="center" colspan='4' | The warriors fed their dogs some fish
|-
|}  
| [[File:Vav2.PNG|30px|Vava]] || Vawa || cane || '''v''' [β]
|-
| [[File:Hith.PNG|30px|Hita]] || Hita || lock || '''h''' [h]
|-
| [[File:Dat.PNG|30px|Data]] || Data || skull || '''d''' [d]
|-
| [[File:Tsim.PNG|30px|Ẕima]] || Ẕima || fruit, blood || '''ẕ''' [t͡s]
|-
| [[File:Bal.PNG|30px|Bala]] || Bala || path || '''b''' [b]
|-
| [[File:Sum.PNG|30px|Suma]] || Suma || tunnel || '''s''' [s]
|-
| [[File:Zhat.PNG|30px|Žati]] || Žati || helmet || '''ž''' [ʝ]
|-
| [[File:Tham.PNG|30px|Ṭama]] || Ṭama || horn, curve || '''ṭ''' [θ]
|-
| [[File:Yav.PNG|30px|Yava]] || Yava || scythe || '''y''' [j]
|}
|
{| class="wikitable" id="letters_chart"
|+ʾAḵva Yat-Vṛḵažaẏka
|-
! Letter !! Name !! width="100px" | Meaning !! Phoneme
|-
| [[File:Kah.PNG|30px|Kafa]] || Kafa || water || '''k''' [k]
|-
| [[File:Ge.PNG|30px|Geba]] || Geba || wing || '''g''' [g]
|-
| [[File:Lam.PNG|30px|Lama]] || Lama || hand || '''l''' [l]
|-
| [[File:Ma'.PNG|30px|Maʾa]] || Maʾa || bowl, cup || '''m''' [m]
|-
| [[File:Nesh.PNG|30px|Neši]] || Neši || peace || '''n''' [n]
|-
| [[File:Ghaym.PNG|30px|Ḡaẏma]] || Ḡaẏma || name || '''ḡ''' [ɣ]
|-
| [[File:Phas.PNG|30px|Ṗasi]] || Ṗasi || poison || '''ṗ''' [ɸ~ʍ̝~w̝]
|-
| [[File:Pak.PNG|30px|Paka]] || Paka || head || '''p''' [p]
|-
| [[File:Jim.PNG|30px|Jima]] || Jima || pillar || '''j''' [ɟ]
|-
| [[File:Ru.PNG|30px|Ruḡi]] || Ruḡi || snake || '''r''' [ɹ]
|-
| [[File:Fash.PNG|30px|Faši]] || Faši || vulture || '''f''' [ɸ]
|}
|
{| class="wikitable" id="letters_chart"
|+ʾAḵva Yat-Vṛḵažaẏka
|-
! Letter !! Name !! width="100px" | Meaning !! Phoneme
|-
| [[File:Shim.PNG|30px|Šima]] || Šima || house || '''š''' [ç]
|-
| [[File:Waj.PNG|30px|Wadi]] || Wadi || shield || '''w''' [w]
|-
| [[File:Tlon.PNG|30px|Ćona]] || Ćona || fish || '''ć''' [t͡ɬ]
|-
| [[File:Tal.PNG|30px|Tali]] || Tali || gate || '''t''' [t]
|-
| [[File:Rhash.PNG|30px|Ṟaša]] || Ṟaša || shoulder || '''ṟ''' [ʀ]
|-
| [[File:Chi.PNG|30px|Čita]] || Čita || hook || '''č''' [c]
|-
| [[File:Zab.PNG|30px|Zaba]] || Zaba || branch || '''z''' [z]
|-
| [[File:Rhat.PNG|30px|Řata]] || Řata || fear, tail || '''ř''' [r]
|-
| [[File:Lham.PNG|30px|Śama]] || Śama || tree || '''ś''' [ɬ]
|-
| [[File:Qhak.PNG|30px|Ḥaka]] || Ḥaka || roof || '''ḥ''' [χ]
|-
| [[File:Qar.PNG|30px|Qaẇta]] || Qaẇta || sheep || '''q''' [q]
|}
|
{| class="wikitable" id="letters_chart"
|+ʾAḵva Yat-Vṛḵažaẏka
|-
! Letter !! Name !! width="100px" | Meaning !! Phoneme
|-
| [[File:Nhod.PNG|30px|Ṉoda]] || Ṉoda || ear || '''ṉ''' [ɴ]
|}
|}
 
====Non-standard letters====
The table below lists the letters that are only found in Mukhebic Vrkhazhian:
{| class="wikitable" id="letters_chart"
|+ʾAḵvah Yat-Vṛḵažaẏkah
|-
! Letter !! Name !! width="100px" | Meaning !! Phoneme
|-
| [[File:Alakh2.PNG|30px|ʾAlaḵa Miḵbaẏka]] || ʾAlaḵa Miḵbaẏka || Mukhebic Alakh || '''ʾ''' [ʔ]
|-
| [[File:Kqun.PNG|30px|Ḳuna]] || Ḳuna || sky || '''ḳ''' [kʼ]
|-
| [[File:Qqus.PNG|30px|Q̇usa]] || Q̇usa || hide || '''q̇''' [kʼ]
|-
| [[File:Kqun.PNG|30px|Ñiṟa]] || Ñiṟa || root || '''ñ''' [ɲ]
|}


====Vowel diacritics====
The Akhuva is an abjad, thus vowels are not represented in most texts. However, vowel diacritics may be used to aid learners in reading the text and to reduce ambiguities.
{| class="wikitable" id="letters_chart"
|+Mambinud Yat-Vṛḵažaẏkud
|-
! Letter
! Name
! Meaning
! Phoneme
|-
| [[File:Ah.PNG|30px|Maʾlibi]]
| Maʾlibi
| exposed
| '''a''' [a]


|-
The verb root '''ñ-m''' (to eat), in the first example, is conjugated for active nonfuture masculine plural in the active sentence agreeing in number and gender with the subject "warriors", while the same verb root in the second example is conjugated in the passive nonfuture feminine plural, agreeing in number and gender with the subject "fish".
| [[File:Ee.PNG|30px|Mařkiki]]
| Mařkiki
| fallen
|'''e''' [e̞]
|-
| [[File:Eh.PNG|30px|Yata]]
| Yata
| ground
|'''i''' [i]
|-
| [[File:Oh.PNG|30px|Ḵoṭa]]
| Ḵoṭa
| circle
| '''o''' [o̞]
|-
| [[File:Oo.PNG|30px|Muḵepa]]
| Ṃḵepa
| emptiness
| '''ə''' [ə]
|-
| [[File:Uu.PNG|30px|Ḥomli]]
| Ḥomli
| throne
| '''u''' [u]
|}


==Writing System==
==Vocabulary==
==Vocabulary==
==Example text==
==Example text==
 
[[Category:Conlangs]] [[Category:A_priori_conlangs]] [[Category:Vrkhazh]]
[[Category:Conlangs]] [[Category:A_priori_conlangs]] [[Category:Descendants_of_Takshian]] [[Category:Vrkhazh]]
</big>

Latest revision as of 16:21, 1 November 2024

Vrkhazhian (Śād Warḫāsaḫ "Mouth of Vrkhazh") is a language that is spoken by the Vrkhazhians who live in Warḫāsam.



VrkhazhianFlagSRLT.png
Vrkhazhian
Śād Warḫāsaḫ, Warḫāsāli
Pronounced: [ˈɬɑːd wɑr.ˈxɑː.sɑx], [wɑr.xɑː.ˈsɑː.li]
Spoken: Vrkhazh (Warḫāsam)
Writing system: Añmānas
Genealogy: Proto-Ch'ahdic
Proto-A
Proto-AA
Proto-AAA
Old Vrkhazhian
Imperial Vrkh.
Common Vrkh.
Typology
Morphological type: agglutinative, triconsonantal root-based morphology
Morphosyntactic alignment: nominative-accusative
Basic word order: Free word order, but typically verb-initial
Credits
Creator: Malcolm G. Holborne


History

Registers

Vrkhazhian is divided into two primary registers:

  • Imperial Vrkhazhian (Ḳabbāˀas "The Royal [Speech]") is the written variety of Vrkhazhian based upon a dialect of Old Vrkhazhian spoken by the founder of the Empire, Ezu-Nardikh the Great, and his supporters.
  • Common Vrkhazhian (Lumbāˀas "The Common [Speech]") is the spoken variety based around the dialect of the capital city of Uzur.

Phonology

Consonants

The table below shows the 25 consonant phonemes found in Vrkhazhian. Letters in angle brackets indicate where the romanization of the phoneme differs from its IPA representation.

Bilabial Coronal Velar Glottal
Central Lateral
Nasal m n ŋ ⟨n̮⟩
Stop Voiceless p t k ʔ ⟨ˀ⟩
Ejective pʼ ⟨ṗ⟩ tʼ ⟨ṭ⟩ kʼ ⟨ḳ⟩
Voiced b d g
Fricative Voiceless f s ɬ ⟨ś⟩ x ⟨ḫ⟩
Ejective sʼ ⟨ṣ⟩ ɬʼ ⟨ṣ́⟩
Voiced z ɮ ⟨ź⟩
Liquid r l
Semivowel w j ⟨y⟩

All consonants except for /j w ʔ/ can be geminated (pronounced twice as long) which is indicated in writing by simply doubling the letter.

Vowels

Vrkhazhian possesses the following monophthongs:

Front Back
Close i iː u uː
Open ɛ ɛː ɑ ɑː

The short vowels /ɛ ɑ i u/ are represented in writing as ⟨e a i u⟩ while the long vowels /ɛː ɑː iː uː/ are either represented with a macron ⟨ē, ā, ī, ū⟩ or a circumflex ⟨ê, â, î, û⟩. The usage of a circumflex in writing is to indicate vowel coalescence as a result of the contraction of the weak consonants /ʔ j w/.

Allophony

Plosives

  • The plosives /p b t d k g/ assimilate in voicing when they precede a plosive of the same place of articulation. An example of this allophony is demonstrated with the verb alad- "fight, oppose": under normal circumstances its stem is alad- such as in aladna "I fought, I opposed"; however, when, for example, the first person plural subject suffix -ta is added, it becomes alatta "we fought, we opposed"
  • The plosives /p b t d k g/ also assimilate in voice and manner of articulation when they precede fricatives of the same place of articulation

Nasals

  • ???

Fricatives

  • the fricatives /s z ɬ ɮ/ assimilate in voice and manner of articulation when they precede another fricative of the same place of articulation.
  • the fricatives /s z ɬ ɮ/ become affricates word-initially.

Other

  • The velar consonants /ŋ k g x/ become partially-rounded [ŋ͗ k̹ g͗ x̹] or fully-rounded [ŋʷ kʷ gʷ xʷ] before back vowels.

Symmetrical Assimilation

Components Result
b + p pp
m + p
p + b bb
m + b
Components Result
d + t tt
n + t
t + d dd
n + d
Components Result
g + k kk
n̮ + k
k + g gg
n̮ + g

Asymmetrical Assimilation

Components Result
p + f ff
b + f
m + f
Components Result
t + s ss
d + s
n + s
t + z zz
d + z
n + z
Components Result
t + ś śś
d + ś
n + ś
t + ź źź
d + ź
n + ź
Components Result
k + ḫ ḫḫ
g + ḫ
n̮ + ḫ

Syllable Structure and Prosody

The basic syllable structure is maximally (C)V(V)(C) whereby any syllable can begin with any consonant except for /ʔ/ and any syllable can end with any consonant except for /ʔ j w/. Vrkhazhian strongly dislikes consonant clusters in the onset or coda of a syllable and typically inserts vowels to break the offending clusters. The epenthetic vowels typically mirror the adjacent vowel.

Stress in Vrkhazhian is based on syllable weight, of which there are three degrees: light (V, CV); heavy (CVC, CV̄, CV̂), and superheavy (CV̄C, CV̂C).

Grammar

Morphology

Overview

Vrkhazhian is a highly inflecting language, and morphologically, it is a triconsonatal root language: a kind of non-concatenative morphology whereby its roots consist of an abstract set of consonants which a pattern of vowels called transfixes are placed between. Most of these roots consist of three consonants (triliteral), though there are many words that consist of two-letter (biliteral) and four-letter (quadriliteral) roots. Very rare, however, are five-letter (pentaliteral) roots, all of which are entirely nouns.

Nominal morphology

Main article: Nouns in Vrkhazhian

Vrkhazhian nouns are called ğanūm (singular ğanum). They are declined for case, gender, and number. Specifically there are four cases (nominative, vocative, accusative, instrumental, and vocative) and two numbers (singular and plural). Additionally, Vrkhazhian has two grammatical genders: masculine and feminine. When referring to humans, deities, and certain animals, masculine refers to beings and animals of the male sex as well as beings that identify with the male gender while feminine refers to beings and animals of the female sex as well as beings that identify with the female gender. When referring to non-humans, masculine refers to wild or dangerous animals (e.g. sammali "crocodile") or inanimate non-living things (e.g. adgi "sand") while feminine refers to domesticated or safe animals (e.g. ḫusu "horse") or more animate non-living things (e.g. masû "sea").

Verbal morphology

Main article: Verbs in Vrkhazhian

Vrkhazhian verbs are called narībūm (singular narībum). Because Vrkhazhian is a triconsonantal root language, the fundamental part of the verb form is the transfix, a discontinuous affix inserted between a root, though they primarily only convey the grammatical voices (active and passive). There are only two tenses (future and non-future) and these are indicated by prefixes attached to the base form. Additionally, there are also two moods (indicative and subjunctive) although the indicative is unmarked. Lastly, verbs are also conjugated for number, singular and plural, with the plural indicated by the suffix -am.

When referring to a particular verb pattern, they are referred to by a derivation of the canonical (exemplary) verb p-r-ḫ (to say, to speak). For example, when referring to the verb pattern of the citation form of a verb, which is the first person singular realis, it is called paruḫna because that is the first person singular realis form of the verb.

Adjectival morphology

Adjectives in Vrkhazhian are marked for gender, case, and number in agreement with the noun they modify.

Most adjectives are derived from verbs and take the form C₁aC₂C₂aC₃. Below is an example adjective derived from the verb s-g-l (to be old) with the meaning of "old":

s-g-l (to be old)
Nominative Accusative Genitive
Singular Plural Singular Plural Singular Plural
Masculine saggal-im saggal-īm saggal-is saggal-īs saggal-in saggal-īn
Feminine saggal-um saggal-ūm saggal-us saggal-ūs saggal-un saggal-ūn
Neuter saggal-as saggal-ās saggal-as saggal-ās saggal-aḫ saggal-āḫ
Demonstrative Adjectives

Like English, Vrkhazhian makes a two-way distinction between near ('this, these' known as "proximal") and far ('that, those' known as "distal") demonstrative expressions. Besides number, as in English, Vrkhazhian also distinguishes masculine and feminine gender as well as case.

Proximal Demonstrative ("this", "these")
Feminine Masculine Neuter Inanimate
Singular Plural Singular Plural Singular Plural Singular Plural
Nominative aḫḫ-um aḫḫ-ūwa aḫḫ-im aḫḫ-īya aḫḫ-am aḫḫ-āya aḫḫ-as aḫḫ-āsa
Accusative aḫḫ-us aḫḫ-ūsa aḫḫ-is aḫḫ-īsa aḫḫ-as aḫḫ-āsa
Ergative aḫḫ-un aḫḫ-ūna aḫḫ-in aḫḫ-īna aḫḫ-an aḫḫ-āna aḫḫ-an aḫḫ-āna
Genitive aḫḫ-uḫ aḫḫ-ūwa aḫḫ-iḫ aḫḫ-īya aḫḫ-aḫ aḫḫ-āya aḫḫ-aḫ aḫḫ-āya
Distal Demonstrative ("that", "those")
Feminine Masculine Neuter Inanimate
Singular Plural Singular Plural Singular Plural Singular Plural
Nominative idd-um idd-ūwa idd-im idd-īya idd-am idd-āya idd-as idd-āsa
Accusative idd-us idd-ūsa idd-is idd-īsa idd-as idd-āsa
Ergative idd-un idd-ūna idd-in idd-īna idd-an idd-āna idd-an idd-āna
Genitive idd-uḫ idd-ūwa idd-iḫ idd-īya idd-aḫ idd-āya idd-aḫ idd-āya

Pronouns

Imperial Vrkhazhian Pronouns
Independent Bound
Nominative Accusative Ergative Possessive
Affirmative Negative
Person Singular Plural Singular Plural Singular Plural Singular Plural Singular Plural
1st āni āti tunni tutti nêsi têsi nêni têni -ni -ti
2nd āma āman tumma tumman mêsi mināsi mêni mināni -mi -min
3rd āsa āsan tussa tussan kêsi kināsi kêni kināni -ki -kin


Interrogative and Relative Pronouns

Vrkhazhian possesses a simple set of interrrogative pronouns that also serve as relative pronouns:

Imperial Vrkhazhian Interrogative Adjectives
Feminine Masculine Neuter Inanimate
Singular Plural Singular Plural Singular Plural Singular Plural
"Who / What" Nominative ḫamt-um ḫamt-ūwa ḫamt-im ḫamt-īya ḫamt-am ḫamt-āya ḫamt-as ḫamt-āsa
Accusative ḫamt-us ḫamt-ūsa ḫamt-is ḫamt-īsa ḫamt-as ḫamt-āsa
Ergative ḫamt-un ḫamt-ūna ḫamt-in ḫamt-īna ḫamt-an ḫamt-āna ḫamt-an ḫamt-āna
Genitive ḫamt-uḫ ḫamt-ūwa ḫamt-iḫ ḫamt-īya ḫamt-aḫ ḫamt-āya ḫamt-aḫ ḫamt-āya
"How Many" Nominative ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???
Accusative ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???
Ergative ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???
Genitive ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???

Numerals

Vrkhazhian uses a base-12 system of numerals, which is a positional notation numeral system using twelve as its base. In this system, the number ten can be written as ⟨X⟩, and the number eleven as ⟨E⟩.

Numerals behave like noun/pronouns.

The table below lists the numbers from 1 to 12.

Numbers
Glyph Numeral Cardinal Ordinal
Tibsa 1 tibsas tabbas-
Susra 2 śiṭṭas śaddaṭ-
3 miḫlas maḫḫal-
4 ??? ???
5 ??? ???
6 taftas taffat-
7 ??? ???
8 ??? ???
9 nuḫras naḫḫar-
X ??? ???
E ??? ???
10 ḫarṭas ḫarraṭ-

Syntax

Main article: Syntax in Vrkhazhian

Nominal phrases

Noun phrases have the following overall order: (numeral) noun (genitive noun) (adjective/relative clause) (demonstratives)

śimās aḫās
house-nom/acc.inan.sg this-nom/acc.inan.sg
this house
śimās mannabās aḫās
house-nom/acc.inan.pl beautiful-nom/acc.inan.pl this-nom/acc.inan.pl
these beautiful houses

Numerals behave like nouns, thus when they are used to quantify another noun they are placed in the construct state. In turn, determiners and adjectives agree in gender and number with the numeral rather than the possessing noun.

tufta śimāḫ aḫas
six-nom/acc.inan.sg house-gen.inan.pl this-nom/acc.inan.sg
these six houses
tufta śimāḫ mannabas aḫas
six-nom/acc.inan.sg house-gen.inan.pl beautiful-nom/acc.fem.sg this-nom/acc.inan.sg
these six beautiful houses

Relative clauses are made by infixing -ēs- to the verb subject suffix of the relative clause:

ḳebbis assalmabakki māˀaḫtēsi
king-nom.masc.sg people\cons.inan.sg-3ms.obl nfut-put_together-3ms.rel
a king who united his people

Relative clauses can also be made by the use of the interrogative pronoun arr- "(the one) who", agreeing in number and gender with the main clause's referent.

assalmabas arras ḳebbis māˀaḫti
king-nom.masc.sg who-nom/acc.inan.sg people\cons.inan.sg-3ms.obl nfut-put_together-3ms
the people who the king united
ummuḫdas arras ku rabdāmūs taḳūstan
palace-nom/acc.inan.sg who-nom/acc.inan.sg at guards-nom.fem.pl futi-lie_down-3fp
the palace where guards might reside

Sentence syntax

The basic word order of Vrkhazhian is SOV. Vrkhazhian has two primary voices, active and applicative:

aldāmīs ilgūn amtan
warrior-nom.masc.pl fish-acc.fem.pl nfut-eat\act-3mp
The warriors ate some fish
aldāmīs ḫagrākan ilgūn āˀamtan
warrior-nom.masc.pl dog-acc.fem.pl-3mp fish-acc.fem.pl nfut-eat\appl-3mp
The warriors fed their dogs some fish


The verb root ñ-m (to eat), in the first example, is conjugated for active nonfuture masculine plural in the active sentence agreeing in number and gender with the subject "warriors", while the same verb root in the second example is conjugated in the passive nonfuture feminine plural, agreeing in number and gender with the subject "fish".

Writing System

Vocabulary

Example text

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