Yiirabarhi

A family of languages spoken by the Shrieker race of 567-908 (Spinward Marches 1031). While the language almost certainly originates from 567-908, nearly identical languages are used in a number of other locations within Charted Space.

Description (Specifications)

Yiirabarhi is spoken by the Shriekers of the Great Retreat and nomadic groups along the western alluvial plains leading to the Sea. More distant dialects have been tentatively identified among desert nomads. A few bold scholars have posted documentation of a global language family tree, but most researchers remain skeptical until more data is analyzed.

Language in Shriekers utilizes a combination of three elements; the shrieks that give the race its name, communication through nerve pads, and gesture. Gesture and sound are used to communicate objective concepts and facts, while the nerve-pads provide subtle shades of meaning and intention. The written form of this complex language resembles a series of three wavy lines, one above the other. Each line represents an element of language; width, amplitude, and frequency varied to convey meaning. The ability to effectively communicate three concepts at once creates a language stunningly suited to irony, sarcasm, and wordplay.

Dtai-denuli, the underlying moral code of their modern religion, is one of the dozen words in the Shrieker language that can be reproduced by a Human tongue. Denuli, in fact, was the name of a Human scout who was prominent in the earliest Shrieker-Human interactions. (See: Mtume Denuli)

Structure

Yiirabarhi syntax -- and grammar -- is, according to scholars of Ktach Shashen College on Regina, accounted for in one major rule: the determinant is embedded in the determinded. Embedding occurs always immediately after the first phoneme. Thus, if English syntax were like that of Yiirabarhi, "one gigantic starship" would be: stargioneganticship.

History & Background (Historical Linguistics)

No information yet available.

Worlds & Sectors (Astrography)

This language is primarily in use in the following areas:

• 567-908, Spinward Marches Sector

References & Contributors (Sources)

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Far Future Enterprises or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.

• Marc Miller. Safari Ship (Game Designers Workshop, 1984), 10-12.
• Martin Dougherty, Neil Frier. Behind the Claw (Steve Jackson Games, 1998), 73.
• Steve Jackson, Loren Wiseman. Alien Races 4 (Steve Jackson Games, 2001), 107-115.
• Shawn Havranek, Loren Wiseman. Planetary Survey 2: Denuli (Steve Jackson Games, 2001), all.
• Mike West. The Spinward States (Avenger Enterprises, 2008), 110.