Virsashi

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.

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.

• Language name: Virsashi

Sound Inventory

 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

Basic Virushi 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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.