Draconic Languages
Draconic | |
---|---|
Geographic distribution: | Draconic Islands |
Linguistic classification: | One of Sahar's primary language families |
Proto-language: | Proto-Draconic |
CWS code | – |
The Draconic languages form a top-level language family in Nagu, specifically the Draconic Islands. Some of its most notable members are Danshali and Cheli.
Proto-Draconic
Descendants
Other Languages and dialects in Danshapu and Chel Gyu
Typology
Structural characteristics generally said to be typical of Draconic languages include:
Grammar
- extensive set of Noun Classes
- no marked plural
- adjectival verbs ("to be big", rather than just "big")
- use of postpositions as opposed to prepositions.
Phonology
- Small vowel inventories, with the 5 vowels system being very common
- Palatal consonants
- Root final stress
Lexicography
Basic vocabulary of about 200 words, including body parts (e.g. eye, heart, head, mouth), animals (e.g. ocelot, fish), nature objects (e.g. tree, stone, nest, water), basic verbs (e.g. live, fall, run, make, see, suck, go, die, swim, know), basic pronouns (e.g. what, we, you, I), numerals; derivatives increase the number of common words.
Selected cognates
The following is a very brief selection of cognates in basic vocabulary across the Draconic family, which may serve to give an idea of the sound changes involved. Words in parenthesis next to the proto-word indicate the Proto-Draconic classifier
English | Proto-Draconic | Danshali | Cheli |
---|---|---|---|
'fire' | mʔulo (mʔu) | melame | mole nà |
'water' | ti (wi) | towo | jù ǔ |
'earth' | ɹuhɯ (pə) | refpu | çohò çǔ |
'fish' | utɯ (wi) | etwo | ósò ǔ |
'animal' | zuɾ (ŋʔo) | zerqa | çor ná |
'leg, foot' | pika (ɢu) | poghuge | vuci shǐ |
'tree' | hi (sə) | kosu | ku ve |
'moon' | ŋʔam (ʃʔu) | qumshe | ngím shì |
'to go' | ɯpok | vak- | òvec |
'to speak' | duʔeu | deye- | johǎ |
'to thank' | ɢosdɯ | gath- | eshò |
Orthographical notes: The graphemes ⟨c⟩ and ⟨ç⟩ are used for the palatal consonants [c] and [ɟ], respectively. The diagraph ⟨lh⟩ is used for the palata lateral approximant [ʎ], and ⟨nh⟩ for the palatal nasal [ɲ].