Difference between revisions of "Virsashi"

From Traveller Wiki - Science-Fiction Adventure in the Far future
Jump to navigation Jump to search
 
(12 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
The Virushi have a single language, which merged (from several evolving forms) around the time when humans first contacted the world. Its structure reflects their attitude toward life.  
+
An auxiliary language used by [[Virushi]].
  
Humans may learn Virushi, just as Virushi may learn human languages. The only problem is that Virushi have very deep voices, to the point that their speech sometimes slips into a subsonic range, inaudible to Human hearers. Likewise human conversations are often too shrill for Virushi.
+
Virsashi is only one of many languages on [[Virshash (world)|Virshash]]. It originated from a creole between several powerful city-states as a compromise language for the purposes of cooperation and trade. It has since evolved to serve as a language by which non-Virushi Imperials and Virushi may more easily communicate. Its structure reflects a typical Virushi attitude toward life.  
  
* Language name: [[Virsashi]]
+
Humans may learn ''Virsashi'', just as Virushi may learn human languages. The only problem is that Virushi have very deep voices, to the point that their speech sometimes slips into a subsonic range, inaudible to Human hearers. Likewise human conversations are often too shrill for Virushi.
  
 
== Sound Inventory ==
 
== Sound Inventory ==
Line 9: Line 9:
 
   Initial consonants: DN F GH GN H  L Q R S SH TH TL V W Y
 
   Initial consonants: DN F GH GN H  L Q R S SH TH TL V W Y
 
   Final consonants:  D    GH    H N L Q R  SH
 
   Final consonants:  D    GH    H N L Q R  SH
   Vowels: A (28%), E (4%), I (26%), U (42%)
+
   "Continental" Vowels: A (28%), E (4%), I (26%), U (42%)
  
 
== Basic Sentence Form ==
 
== Basic Sentence Form ==
Basic Virushi sentences place the object before the verb, and the subject after the verb. Here are examples:
+
Basic Virsashi sentences place the object before the verb, and the subject after the verb. Here are examples:
  
 
   OBJECT.    VERB.          SUBJECT.   
 
   OBJECT.    VERB.          SUBJECT.   
Line 24: Line 24:
 
== Pronouns ==
 
== Pronouns ==
  
Respect is natural for Virushi, and their pronoun use makes this painfully clear. It's the part of the language where human language learners complain most often.
+
Respect is natural for Virushi, and the Virsashi pronoun use makes this painfully clear. It's the part of the language where human language learners complain most often.
  
 
Note that there is only one "speech register" for the second and third persons, and that is of high honor and respect. First person singular is the only pronoun with a bare form, and is frequently simply dropped in a sentence. First person plural is treated with a complicated mix of high respect and disdain.
 
Note that there is only one "speech register" for the second and third persons, and that is of high honor and respect. First person singular is the only pronoun with a bare form, and is frequently simply dropped in a sentence. First person plural is treated with a complicated mix of high respect and disdain.
Line 53: Line 53:
  
 
   Vasahu.    To hide often.
 
   Vasahu.    To hide often.
   Vasavu.    To hide with one another.
+
   Vasavu.    To hide together.
 
   Shirqulhu.  To travel-to <somewhere> often.
 
   Shirqulhu.  To travel-to <somewhere> often.
 
   Wuruhu.    To eat often.
 
   Wuruhu.    To eat often.
   Wuruvu.    To eat with one another.
+
   Wuruvu.    To eat together.
 
   Yashhu.    To rain often.
 
   Yashhu.    To rain often.
 
   Yashvu.    "Rain upon rain" -- e.g. to rain as a chain reaction.
 
   Yashvu.    "Rain upon rain" -- e.g. to rain as a chain reaction.
  
 
== Verb Mode ==
 
== Verb Mode ==
'''Advice'''. The Virushi have no regular command form of their verbs. The closest they get is the suffix -(l)eh which gives an "advisory mode" to the verb.  
+
'''Advice'''. Virsashi has no regular command form of their verbs. The closest they get is the suffix -(l)eh which gives an "advisory mode" to the verb.  
  
 
A basic sentence like:  
 
A basic sentence like:  
Line 96: Line 96:
  
 
Note that the "I" pronoun is the only one that goes on the end of the verb.
 
Note that the "I" pronoun is the only one that goes on the end of the verb.
 +
 +
{{LE|Language}}
 +
[[Category: Guidebook to Reavers Deep Sector]]
 +
[[Category: Virushi]]

Latest revision as of 02:38, 28 June 2024

An auxiliary language used by Virushi.

Virsashi is only one of many languages on Virshash. It originated from a creole between several powerful city-states as a compromise language for the purposes of cooperation and trade. It has since evolved to serve as a language by which non-Virushi Imperials and Virushi may more easily communicate. Its structure reflects a typical Virushi attitude toward life.

Humans may learn Virsashi, just as Virushi may learn human languages. The only problem is that Virushi have very deep voices, to the point that their speech sometimes slips into a subsonic range, inaudible to Human hearers. Likewise human conversations are often too shrill for Virushi.

Sound Inventory[edit]

 Initial consonants: DN F GH GN H   L Q R S SH TH TL V W Y
 Final consonants:   D    GH    H N L Q R   SH
 "Continental" Vowels: A (28%), E (4%), I (26%), U (42%)

Basic Sentence Form[edit]

Basic Virsashi sentences place the object before the verb, and the subject after the verb. Here are examples:

  OBJECT.     VERB.          SUBJECT.  
  Reghina     shirqul        yar-thaq.
  Regina      travels-to-it  this-ship.       = This ship travels-to Regina.
  VERB.            SUBJECT.  
  Wuruleh          ighlalathighi.
  Eat (advisory)   You.                       = You should eat.

Pronouns[edit]

Respect is natural for Virushi, and the Virsashi pronoun use makes this painfully clear. It's the part of the language where human language learners complain most often.

Note that there is only one "speech register" for the second and third persons, and that is of high honor and respect. First person singular is the only pronoun with a bare form, and is frequently simply dropped in a sentence. First person plural is treated with a complicated mix of high respect and disdain.

  Ighlalathighi       Your honorable respectfulness (singular)
  Dnishlathighi       Your honorable respectfulnesses (plural)
  Ulshudaqqash        Her honorable respectfulness (singular)
  Ashgnaqqash         His honorable respectfulness (singular)
  Utlitlilgni         Their honorable respectfulnesses (plural)
  Qar                 I
  Qushhughquyingi     We
  Er                  It (inanimate singular)
  Ad                  They (inanimate plural)

Verbs[edit]

Intransitive verb roots are typically of the form CV-CV. For example:

  Vasa       To hide.
  Wuru       Eat.

Transitive verb roots are typically of the form CVC-CVC. For example:

  Shirqul    Travel-to.

Verbs which also represent multiple events take the suffix -hu. A reflexive or reciprocal quality uses the suffix -vu. For example:

  Vasahu.     To hide often.
  Vasavu.     To hide together.
  Shirqulhu.  To travel-to <somewhere> often.
  Wuruhu.     To eat often.
  Wuruvu.     To eat together.
  Yashhu.     To rain often.
  Yashvu.     "Rain upon rain" -- e.g. to rain as a chain reaction.

Verb Mode[edit]

Advice. Virsashi has no regular command form of their verbs. The closest they get is the suffix -(l)eh which gives an "advisory mode" to the verb.

A basic sentence like:

  OBJECT.     VERB.          SUBJECT.  
  Reghina     shirqul        yar-thaq.
  Regina      travels-to-it  this-ship.       = This ship travels-to Regina.

Can be given an "advisory tone" by adding -(l)eh like so:

  OBJECT.     VERB.          SUBJECT.  
  Reghina     shirquleh      yar-thaq.
  Regina      travel-to-it-advisory  this-ship.       = This ship ought to travel-to Regina.

Uncertainty. The verbal suffix -(i)re adds uncertainty to the statement.

  Reghina     shirqulire      yar-thaq.      = This ship probably travels-to Regina.

Verb Person[edit]

Verb stems can be conjugated for person.

  It or they (inanimate)   0- (bare verb stem) (also used with a pronoun to specify person)
  I                        -'qar
  We                       Qu'-
  You (singular)           Ig'-
  You (plural)             Dni'-
  He or they               Ul'-
  She                      Ash'-

Examples.

  Ig'vasaleh.   You should hide.
  Ul'vasaleh.   He (or they) should hide.
  Vasaleh'qar.  I should hide.
  Vasa.         It hides (or they hide).

Note that the "I" pronoun is the only one that goes on the end of the verb.