Klyros Language: Difference between revisions
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{{FramePics|[[Image:KL-k'-form.png]][[Image:KL-lyr-live.png]][[Image:KL-os-multiply.png]]|The word ''Klyros'' written in Klyros ideograms}} | {{FramePics|[[Image:KL-k'-form.png]][[Image:KL-lyr-live.png]][[Image:KL-os-multiply.png]]|The word ''Klyros'' written in Klyros ideograms}} | ||
The '''Klyros language''' is very simple and logical in its structure and grammar, yet powerfully flexible and adaptive like the Klyros race | The '''Klyros language''' is very simple and logical in its structure and grammar, yet powerfully flexible and adaptive like the Klyros race itself when a need for new expressions arises. | ||
It is based on an ideographic writing system, that originates in the artistic traits of its creators, and deals mostly with concrete concepts. Most of the few abstracts that are present in the language are also used with a special grammatical function. For example to express gender or tense. | It is based on an ideographic writing system, that originates in the artistic traits of its creators, and deals mostly with concrete concepts. Most of the few abstracts that are present in the language are also used with a special grammatical function. For example to express gender or tense. | ||
There's only one sound in Klyros pronunciation that is not available in the Common alphabet. This sound - the shwa - like a short form of the vowel in the Common word "her", is transcribed by an | There's only one sound in Klyros pronunciation that is not available in the Common alphabet. This sound - the shwa - like a short form of the vowel in the Common word "her", is transcribed by an apostrophe when writing Klyros in the Common writing. This sound vanishes completely when it lies adjacent to another one that is not identical to the preceding. ''K''' combined with ''lyr'' becomes thus ''klyr'' | ||
==Transcription and Pronunciation== | ==Transcription and Pronunciation== | ||
Basically all letters are used for the same sounds they describe in the Common language. With a few exceptions and | Basically all letters are used for the same sounds they describe in the Common language. With a few exceptions and peculiarities. | ||
* '''c''' is pronounced like the ''ch'' in ''chase'' | * '''c''' is pronounced like the ''ch'' in ''chase'' | ||
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{{FramePics|[[Image:KL-k'-form.png]][[Image:KL-on-exist.png]][[Image:KL-os-multiply.png]]|''konos''}} | {{FramePics|[[Image:KL-k'-form.png]][[Image:KL-on-exist.png]][[Image:KL-os-multiply.png]]|''konos''}} | ||
===Konos (substantial words)=== | ===Konos (substantial words)=== | ||
Substantial words named '''Konos''' refer to physical things, or | Substantial words named '''Konos''' refer to physical things, or seldom abstract concepts. They are almost identical to the nouns of Common. The formation of nouns happens through the prefix ''"K'"'', which standing alone means ''to form'', that is added to a Ksin. | ||
{{FramePics|[[Image:KL-k'-form.png]][[Image:KL-zan-paint.png]][[Image:KL-os-multiply.png]]|''kzanos''}} | {{FramePics|[[Image:KL-k'-form.png]][[Image:KL-zan-paint.png]][[Image:KL-os-multiply.png]]|''kzanos''}} | ||
===Kzanos (descriptive words)=== | ===Kzanos (descriptive words)=== | ||
'''Kzanos''' literally translates to the Common word ''colours''. It describes a word class of attributes and descriptive expressions that can be seen as a mixture between Common adjectives and adverbs. They are the inversion of ''konos'' and | '''Kzanos''' literally translates to the Common word ''colours''. It describes a word class of attributes and descriptive expressions that can be seen as a mixture between Common adjectives and adverbs. They are the inversion of ''konos'' and thus are formed by the suffix ''"K'"''. | ||
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{{FramePics|[[Image:KL-ze-reflect.png]][[Image:KL-space.png]][[Image:KL-ze-reflect.png]][[Image:KL-os-multiply.png]]|''ze'' (''I'') and ''zeos'' (''we'')}} | {{FramePics|[[Image:KL-ze-reflect.png]][[Image:KL-space.png]][[Image:KL-ze-reflect.png]][[Image:KL-os-multiply.png]]|''ze'' (''I'') and ''zeos'' (''we'')}} | ||
====First person==== | ====First person==== | ||
The most unproblematic of the ktenos is the one | The most unproblematic of the ktenos is the one referring to oneself alone. The first person singular is ''ze'' (archaic also 'kze'). | ||
The first person plural is ''zeos''. | The first person plural is ''zeos''. | ||
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Fractions are written using ''ya'' a ksin meaning ''to divide'', that is often shortened to ''y''' when used for this purpose. Depending on their usage the fraction can be a ksin or a kzan. | Fractions are written using ''ya'' a ksin meaning ''to divide'', that is often shortened to ''y''' when used for this purpose. Depending on their usage the fraction can be a ksin or a kzan. | ||
Fractions with a low denominator are commonly used to form other word classes | Fractions with a low denominator are commonly used to form other word classes as well. ''The half'' for example is ''kayi'' in Klyros while ''ayik'' would mean ''half'' in the sense of a Common adjective. | ||
==Typography== | ==Typography== | ||
There is no punctuation in Klyros. Sentences are simply separated by a full space, meaning a blank that is equal the size of a ideogram. Words within a sentence are mostly separated by a half-space, half the width of an ideogram. Sometimes, especially often found in ancient poetry, there is no word spacing, to the effect of making the poem more aesthetic to the onlooker but also a lot harder to read and | There is no punctuation in Klyros. Sentences are simply separated by a full space, meaning a blank that is equal the size of a ideogram. Words within a sentence are mostly separated by a half-space, half the width of an ideogram. Sometimes, especially often found in ancient poetry, there is no word spacing, to the effect of making the poem more aesthetic to the onlooker but also a lot harder to read and interpret. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 16:18, 24 March 2008
  
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| The word Klyros written in Klyros ideograms | ||
The Klyros language is very simple and logical in its structure and grammar, yet powerfully flexible and adaptive like the Klyros race itself when a need for new expressions arises.
It is based on an ideographic writing system, that originates in the artistic traits of its creators, and deals mostly with concrete concepts. Most of the few abstracts that are present in the language are also used with a special grammatical function. For example to express gender or tense.
There's only one sound in Klyros pronunciation that is not available in the Common alphabet. This sound - the shwa - like a short form of the vowel in the Common word "her", is transcribed by an apostrophe when writing Klyros in the Common writing. This sound vanishes completely when it lies adjacent to another one that is not identical to the preceding. K' combined with lyr becomes thus klyr
Transcription and Pronunciation
Basically all letters are used for the same sounds they describe in the Common language. With a few exceptions and peculiarities.
- c is pronounced like the ch in chase
- g is pronounced like the second g in garage
- q is pronounced like the ch in Scottish loch
- x is pronounced like the sh in shine
- z is a lisping sound that is made by first pushing the tongue lightly against the back of the incisors while pronouncing an s and then gliding the tongue to the front between the teeth, linguistically a voiced inter-dental affricate
Vowel length is always constant. Long vowels are transcribed as double vowels.
Word classes
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| ksinos | ||
Ksinos (process words)
The base of the Klyros language are Ksinos, the process words that roughly correspond to the verbs in Common. Each ideogram refers to a process word. All other words are derived from Ksinos using pre-, suf-, or circumfixes.
| ||
| konos | ||
Konos (substantial words)
Substantial words named Konos refer to physical things, or seldom abstract concepts. They are almost identical to the nouns of Common. The formation of nouns happens through the prefix "K'", which standing alone means to form, that is added to a Ksin.
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| kzanos | ||
Kzanos (descriptive words)
Kzanos literally translates to the Common word colours. It describes a word class of attributes and descriptive expressions that can be seen as a mixture between Common adjectives and adverbs. They are the inversion of konos and thus are formed by the suffix "K'".
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| kefaos | ||
Kefaos (logic words)
The logic words or Kefaos (lit. thoughts) are used to make logical connections between Klyros phrases. They can be compared to linking words, conjunctions of the Common. Most of them are formed using the ksin jo (to join) as a suffix.
Accordingly, jojo for example is the Klyros counterpart of Common and.
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| ktenos | ||
Ktenos (replacement words)
Ktenos are the equivalent of Common pronouns though their usage is more difficult and subject to cultural peculiarities.
Please refer to the section on the correct formation and usage for details.
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| knetos | ||
Knetos (relation words)
What Common refers to as a preposition is called Knetos in Klyros. These words are formed using the prefix net and used to describe mainly but not exclusively temporal and spatial relations.
Descriptor precedence
Since Klyros is a highly agglutinative language, it is important to know what the correct precedence of the descriptors after a ksin is.
- word class descriptor
- person descriptor
- gender descriptor
- numeral descriptor
- temporal descriptor
- voice descriptor
- mood descriptor
In compound words there can be of course descriptors to each of the composed ksinos.
Usage of Ktenos
It is highly advisable to pay attention to the correct use of ktenos when communicating in Klyros. Wrongly used they can easily be a cause for offence.
Personal
 
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| ze (I) and zeos (we) | ||
First person
The most unproblematic of the ktenos is the one referring to oneself alone. The first person singular is ze (archaic also 'kze').
The first person plural is zeos.
 
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| zelim, and zemil | ||
Note that the use of the honorific wo together with the first person is considered uppish, except for a ruler. (It would be appropriate where Common makes use of the "pluralis maiestatis", "we, the octarch")
It is polite for a Klyros to give the own gender when addressing a non-Klyros. (It is not alway easy for foreigners to discern the Klyros sexes from their appearance). In these cases 'I' translates to zelim for a male and zemil for a female.
Second person
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| yi (you) | ||
In contrast it is most important not to use a gender descriptor when addressing someone directly. That is done with yi only. The use of yilim or yimil between persons who are not familiar is more or less disrespectful depending on whether the grammatical gender matches the sex of the addressee.
In an intimate relation yilim and yimil place an non-ambiguous emphasis on the addressee's sex, while in combination with the honorific prefix wo- it is considered a term of endearment.
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| woyi (respectful you) | ||
The use of woyilim or woyimil outside of an intimate relationship equals a proposal.
The standard form of addressing people unknown to oneself or in an especially respectful manner is woyi.
The honorific can be used as a suffix to honour high-ranking individuals when addressing them: woyiwo corresponds to your highness.
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| yalim (he), and yamil (she) | ||
Third person
Talking about an individual it is obligatory to make use of a gender descriptor. Everything else would be considered very disrespectful. Thus Common he translates to yalim and she to yamil. When talking about someone who is present it is considered polite to make use of the honorific, but not obligatory, if you are familiar with the subject. The neutral gender used for inanimate objects or asexual beings such as Kran is kya which means it or more literally object.
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| yaos (them) | ||
Talking about a group of people who are known to belong to one sex only, you usually use the gender descriptor aswell (yalimos, yamilos). But do not so, if the sexes of all the subjects are not exactly known. For mixed groups only use yaos. The use of the honorific is arbitrary in the plural, depending on the situation.
Possessives
- my & mine: xuzek & kxuze
- your & yours: xuyik & kxuyi
- his & his: xuyalimk & kxuyalim
- her & hers: xuyamilk & kxuyamil
- its & its: xuyak & kxuya
- our & ours: xuzeosk & kxuzeos
- your & yours (pl): xuyiosk & kxuyios
- their & theirs: xuyaosk & kxuyaos
Deixis
- here & there: rafnet & farnet
- this & that: kyaraf & kyafar
- these & those: kyarafos & kyafaros
Numbers
The concept of the Klyros numbering system might strike foreigners somewhat odd as the cardinal numbers are regarded a process and accordingly are expressed through Ksin. The digits are pronounced as vowels of different pitch and length.
Cardinal numerals
The base of the Klyros numbering is a decimal system almost identical to the Common one. The difference is that the symbol for zero is not used to form number values higher than nine. Instead there is a special symbol meaning "ten" that is not used separately. It is appears where you would expect a zero in a number of Common. The digits are formed by the following ideograms:
| Common | Klyros | Reading | Common | Klyros | Reading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
a | 6 |  |
aa | |
| 2 |  |
i | 7 |  |
ii | |
| 3 |  |
u | 8 |  |
uu | |
| 4 |  |
e | 9 |  |
ee | |
| 5 |  |
o | (10) |  |
oo |
|
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| uiioaae, 37564 | ||
Thus the word uiioaae is the pronunciation of the number 37564. If the numbers pronounced as the same vowels are adjacent there is a short shwa or pause inserted to discern them from one another. So uiioaa'a means 37561.
The number zero is written as nu which means to negate (or as substantial form knu i.e. nothing)
| Common | Klyros | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| 0 |  |
nu |
|
| ||
| aik, twelfth | ||
Ordinal numerals
Ordinal numbers belong into the word class of Kzanos.
For example while ai means twelve aik refers to the twelfth of a row.
|
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| ayaik, the twelfth part | ||
Fractions
Fractions are written using ya a ksin meaning to divide, that is often shortened to y' when used for this purpose. Depending on their usage the fraction can be a ksin or a kzan.
Fractions with a low denominator are commonly used to form other word classes as well. The half for example is kayi in Klyros while ayik would mean half in the sense of a Common adjective.
Typography
There is no punctuation in Klyros. Sentences are simply separated by a full space, meaning a blank that is equal the size of a ideogram. Words within a sentence are mostly separated by a half-space, half the width of an ideogram. Sometimes, especially often found in ancient poetry, there is no word spacing, to the effect of making the poem more aesthetic to the onlooker but also a lot harder to read and interpret.