The Languages of The People

There are currently 13 very different real world languages spoken on Evathalin. Each language follows real Phonetics / Phonology, Semantics / Pragmatics, Syntax, and Morphology, and reflects greatly each kingdoms unique culture. Each language is able to be used in real world application, even outside of Evathalin, so you can speak, write, and read in each local language in real life. Languages may change in subtle ways, so please refrain from attempting to learn or use them until they are fully finalized. Remember, many details have been intentionally omitted to protect originality. The following examples are to show concept.

The Language of The Deserts - Forgive my handwriting; I am not a native speaker

The Language of The Deserts

The People of the Desert are a resilient, resourceful society who have thrived under the sun and shifting sands for generations. Their way of life revolves around cooperation, precise planning, and an enduring respect for nature’s rhythms. To communicate these values, they have developed a remarkable language—one that weaves complex ideas into single words and carefully tracks the flow of time. Below is a simple introduction to the key features of their speech:

  • Polysynthetic Structure: Words often incorporate subjects, objects, and other elements into a single unit, expressing complex ideas succinctly.
  • Determiners: Two types—Direct (for clearly identified or nearby objects) and Indirect (for less certain or more distant references).
  • Nouns & Pronouns: Marked simply for singular or plural, without gender or honorifics.
  • Verbs: Carry extensive tense markers (present, past, future, and more specialized forms like pluperfect, habitual, or immediate), along with aspects (perfect, imperfect, progressive).
  • Postpositions: Instead of prepositions, location and relation follow the noun (e.g., “housein,” “roadalong”).
  • Conjunctions & Adverbs: Used to link clauses and add detail, though many adverbial ideas can also be folded into verbs.
  • Comparative/Superlative: Not marked morphologically; phrases indicate comparison if needed.
  • Word Order: VOS (VerbObjectSubject) in its most neutral form, though polysynthesis often allows flexibility.
  • Negation: A separate negation word (e.g., “not”) is placed in the sentence to deny actions or states.
  • Writing Direction: Vertically, in columns read from left to right—a unique style possibly suited to tall desert pillars or narrow tablets.

 

The People’s language reflects their deep connection to time, space, and survival in a challenging environment. Their extensive system of tense markers—spanning immediate past to distant future—demonstrates a cultural emphasis on precise timing. In their harsh desert surroundings, knowing exactly when events like rainfall or animal migrations occur is not just practical but essential for survival. Their polysynthetic language, capable of packing complex ideas into single utterances, highlights their value for efficiency and clarity. This linguistic precision is likely a critical adaptation to an environment where rapid and effective communication can make the difference between life and death.

The absence of grammatical honorifics suggests a society that values equality, or at least one that resists categorizing individuals by rank or gender in their language. While respect and social nuance may still be conveyed through tone or specific vocabulary, these elements are not structurally embedded in their grammar. This points to a linguistic tradition that prioritizes functionality and directness over hierarchical expression.

Their use of postpositions instead of prepositions indicates a holistic approach to spatial relationships, often integrating these concepts into verbs. This feature likely reflects the expansive and unforgiving desert landscape, where precise spatial awareness is crucial. Rather than viewing location as an isolated concept, The People seem to embed it seamlessly into their descriptions of actions and events.

The unusual vertical left-to-right writing system is a striking feature of their culture. It may have evolved from the practical need to engrave text on tall, narrow surfaces such as pillars, beams, or stone columns—forms well-suited to their desert environment. These tall structures might serve as both visual markers in the vast, featureless expanse of the desert and as mediums for recording knowledge, traditions, or communication.

The People’s linguistic and cultural traits collectively reveal a society deeply attuned to the demands of their environment. Their focus on precise verbal expression of time and events, coupled with their egalitarian language structure, reflects a dynamic community that values adaptability and clarity. While we lack direct knowledge of their artistic or ritual life, the interplay between their complex tense system, spatial orientation, and elegant vertical writing suggests a culture that seamlessly blends practicality with tradition. Their ability to adapt their communication and visual markers to the endless desert highlights their ingenuity and resilience in navigating their world.

The Lexicons

Each Language is expected to have 10,000 words or more. Each Language will have a full Lexicon giving full definition and translation.