Vevari Language
Note: In progress vocabulary can be found here: Vevari Language Vocabulary
Vevari, from the Vevari root word 'Fev' and the Bevari root word "Vari", literally translates as Star People. The Root Word 'Fev' Also means yellow, the same color as Valta, the name given to their sun, and is the chief goddess in Fevarik religion.
Many Regalti languages are the result of thousands of years of associating objects and things with colors and emotions, borrowing words from other languages, then reassociating them, Compounding words and reducing them, and maybe reassociating them with colors yet again.
Structure
The Vevari Language relies on the following word order: Subject -> Verb -> Object. In the past the language had a Subject -> Object -> Verb word order. Adverbs and Adjectives are almost always before the words they modify. Likewise, Possessive Pronouns are always after Nouns. For more advanced speakers, the word order can be changed depending on what helper words are used.
Phonology
Consonants
| Labial | Dental | Alveolar | Postalveolar | Palatal | Velar | Glottal | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plosive | p , b | t , d | tʃ , dʒ | k , c, g | |||
| Nasal | m | n | ɲ | ||||
| Fricative | f , ph, v | θ | s , z | ʃ , ʒ | h | ||
| Approximate | l , ɹ | j | w |
Notes
1) Sounds shown in blue are used in loanwords from surrounding languages. They have their own letters in the Vevari Alphabet, but are rarely used.
2) Two consonants (f, k) have a Strong and Weak version, where they can be pronounced with varying levels of energy (similar to English having strong and weak consonants (f is emphasized more than v for example). Where it differs is that in Vevari, this occurs on the same consonant. The strong versions of the consonants are written as F and K, while the weak versions are written as PH and C. The actual pronounciation of the consonant doesn't change that much, but the increased energy results in a different start or stop, which changes the pronounciation of the surrounding vowels.
This occurs much more often in different dialects and has special emphasis in the Formal Vevari language used in law and business. It isn't used that often in the commonly spoken version of the language, though there are two very notable exceptions. The name of the Regalti's Homeworld and moon are written as Collena and Sephar instead of Kollena and Sefar to denote the softer pronounciation of the /k/ and /f/ sounds.
2) Two consonants (f, k) have a Strong and Weak version, where they can be pronounced with varying levels of energy (similar to English having strong and weak consonants (f is emphasized more than v for example). Where it differs is that in Vevari, this occurs on the same consonant. The strong versions of the consonants are written as F and K, while the weak versions are written as PH and C. The actual pronounciation of the consonant doesn't change that much, but the increased energy results in a different start or stop, which changes the pronounciation of the surrounding vowels.
This occurs much more often in different dialects and has special emphasis in the Formal Vevari language used in law and business. It isn't used that often in the commonly spoken version of the language, though there are two very notable exceptions. The name of the Regalti's Homeworld and moon are written as Collena and Sephar instead of Kollena and Sefar to denote the softer pronounciation of the /k/ and /f/ sounds.
Vowels
| Front | Central | Back | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Close | i | u | |
| Near Close | I | ||
| Mid | ɛ | ||
| Near Open | æ | ||
| Open | a | ʌ |
| Dipthongs |
|---|
| äɪ |
| eɪ |
| oʊ |
| aʊ |
| ɔɪ |
Pronounciation
All example words shown here are pronounced in General American. All consonants are pronounced with the same energy with the exception of the previously mentioned consonants. In ( ) is the way these sounds will be spelled on this page and the rest of the articles here.
/p/ (P)- Pin
/b/ (B)- Bat
/t/ (T)- Tap
/d/ (D)- Dim
/tʃ/ (Ch)- Chart
/dʒ/ (J)- Jump
/k/ (K)- Cat
/g/ (G)- Gut
/m/ (M)- Mom
/n/ (N)- No
/ɲ/ (Ng)- Sing
/w/ (W)- Want
/f/ (F)- Fan
/v/ (V)- Vat
/θ/ (Th)- Thigh
/s/ (S)- Sin
/z/ (Z)- Zoo
/ʃ/ (Sh)- Shoot
/ʒ/ (Zh)- Vision
/h/ (H)- Hot
/l/ (L)- Lap
/ɹ/ (R)- Run
/j/ (Y)- Yes
/i/ - Beet
/I/ - Bit
/ɛ/ - Bet
/æ/ - Bat
/a/ - Bot
/ʌ/ - But
/u/ - Boot
/äɪ/ - Buy
/eɪ/ - Base
/ɔɪ/ - Boy
/oʊ/ - Boat
/aʊ/ - Bout
/p/ (P)- Pin
/b/ (B)- Bat
/t/ (T)- Tap
/d/ (D)- Dim
/tʃ/ (Ch)- Chart
/dʒ/ (J)- Jump
/k/ (K)- Cat
/g/ (G)- Gut
/m/ (M)- Mom
/n/ (N)- No
/ɲ/ (Ng)- Sing
/w/ (W)- Want
/b/ (B)- Bat
/t/ (T)- Tap
/d/ (D)- Dim
/tʃ/ (Ch)- Chart
/dʒ/ (J)- Jump
/k/ (K)- Cat
/g/ (G)- Gut
/m/ (M)- Mom
/n/ (N)- No
/ɲ/ (Ng)- Sing
/w/ (W)- Want
/f/ (F)- Fan
/v/ (V)- Vat
/θ/ (Th)- Thigh
/s/ (S)- Sin
/z/ (Z)- Zoo
/ʃ/ (Sh)- Shoot
/ʒ/ (Zh)- Vision
/h/ (H)- Hot
/l/ (L)- Lap
/ɹ/ (R)- Run
/j/ (Y)- Yes
/v/ (V)- Vat
/θ/ (Th)- Thigh
/s/ (S)- Sin
/z/ (Z)- Zoo
/ʃ/ (Sh)- Shoot
/ʒ/ (Zh)- Vision
/h/ (H)- Hot
/l/ (L)- Lap
/ɹ/ (R)- Run
/j/ (Y)- Yes
/i/ - Beet
/I/ - Bit
/ɛ/ - Bet
/æ/ - Bat
/a/ - Bot
/ʌ/ - But
/u/ - Boot
/äɪ/ - Buy
/eɪ/ - Base
/ɔɪ/ - Boy
/oʊ/ - Boat
/aʊ/ - Bout
/I/ - Bit
/ɛ/ - Bet
/æ/ - Bat
/a/ - Bot
/ʌ/ - But
/u/ - Boot
/äɪ/ - Buy
/eɪ/ - Base
/ɔɪ/ - Boy
/oʊ/ - Boat
/aʊ/ - Bout
Tenses
Vevari verbs have an infinitve form, plus six tenses: Simple Present, Simple Past, Simple Future, Complex Present, Complex Past, and Complex Future. The Complex forms can be considered Progressive in nearly all situations. The base Simple form can act as a participle and the base complex form can act as a gerund when used independent of a pronoun. There can be past, present, and future participles.
Additional aspects and moods are made by adding suffixes to preceding pronouns or using helper words. Further tenses can be made by using both pronoun modification and helper words. It is possible to make a Simple Past Continuous Conditional Imperative. It is also possible to have a pronoun affix plus a helper word to emphasize a verb even more, to make an imperative imperative verb for example.
Examples: Present Simple Negative Perfect: Anso Ani Tana "I have not Spoken".
*1: "So" is the Vevari word for No.
*2: Vevari sentences have an active voice by default, but can be changed to passive by modifying pronouns and verbs in the same way as aspects and moods. "An Shana" "I Love" vs "Ano Shana" "I am Loved". Combining helper words can create additional verb forms in the same way as well. A Passive Conditional verb for example: "Anno Ashi Shansa" "I might have been loved"
Infinitive and base forms
| Tense | Affix | Vevari | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infinitive Inf. | - | Tan | To Speak |
| Simple Present Pr.Sim | -a, -na | An Tana | I Speak |
| Simple Past P.Sim | -ir, -nir | An Tanir | I Spoke |
| Simple Future F.Sim | -or, -nor | An Tanor | I will Speak |
| Present Complex Pr.Prg | -sa, -nesa | An Tansa | I am Speaking |
| Past Complex P.Prg | -irs, -nirs | An Tanirs | I was speaking |
| Future Complex F.Prg | -ora, -nora | An Tanora | I will be Speaking |
Additional Aspects and Moods
| Aspect/Mood | Base Form | Pronoun affix | Helper Word |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perfect Prf | simple | -ni | Ani |
| Imperative Imp | simple | -ki | Aki |
| Passive* Pass | Simple | no | o |
| Continuous Cont | Complex | -si | Asi |
| Conditional Cond | Complex | -shi | Ashi |
| Negative* Neg | Complex | -so | So* |
Examples: Present Simple Negative Perfect: Anso Ani Tana "I have not Spoken".
*1: "So" is the Vevari word for No.
*2: Vevari sentences have an active voice by default, but can be changed to passive by modifying pronouns and verbs in the same way as aspects and moods. "An Shana" "I Love" vs "Ano Shana" "I am Loved". Combining helper words can create additional verb forms in the same way as well. A Passive Conditional verb for example: "Anno Ashi Shansa" "I might have been loved"
Adjective Order
There is generally no adjective order in Vevari. Generally you would say the adjectives you want to emphasize first. The only exception is that you have to say numbers first and qualifiers last, otherwise there is no order to anything inbetween.
As far as placement in a sentence, Adjective's are almost always before the word it modifies. There is one major exception.
There is a class of Adjectives leftover from the earliest versions of the language called Tarasha, or "Colored Emotions" that can function as adjectives, adverbs, form compound words, and more. these generally function as affixes and their meaning changes depending on if the adjective is a prefix or suffix. In the past there were tens of thousands of these adjectives, but the modern language only has a handful remaining. Most adjectives are now independent words only.
Tarasha Adjectives have an independent form, plus two dependent affix forms and four separate meanings. Take the Adjective Tra/Tri. It means 'Red', 'Happy', 'Annoyed', and 'Angry' depending on which form is used and if it is used as a prefix or suffix, and they can be affixed to Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adverbs, and other Adjectives. The independent form simply adds an adjective specific affix such as -Tse. (Tratse/Tritse)
Independent Adjectives
-Tse : Independent adjective. Used for Tarasha Adjectives ("Tratse" "Happy")
-Esh : Independent adjective. Used for Tarasha Adjectives ("Eshtra" "Red")
Negatives
Osh/Os/Oz- : negative ("Ostratse" "not Happy")("Osentsi" "not civil")
-Sho/-So/-Zo : negative ("Eshtraso" "not red")("Eshdrazo" "not blue")("Entsiso" "not civil")
These two can be combined. ("Ostratseso" (not not) Red"). Double negatives in Vevari tend to literally double the negative rather than cancel it out. The same is true for doubling positives, qualities, natures, and more.
Other affixes
If/Iv- : Nature ("Ivanda" "Motherly")("Ifaya" "Childish" or "Girly")("Ifeyen" "Childish" or "Boyish"
Or- : Positive or True ("Ortratse" "truly Red")(Oretsi " Truly wet")
-Ri : Little quality of, sort of ("Tratseri" "sort of red")("Ifayari" "Sort of childish")
-Di/Ti : Relating to ("Kollendi" "Planetary")
(There's more affixes to be added in the future)
While technically improper, younger speakers tend to say one affix as its own word instead of doubling up affixes. for example, they say 'so' in additon to a negative adjective to create an adjective phrase ("So Traso" "no (not) Red").
Younger speakers also tend to say Tarasha Adjectives without the independent identifier but using a double negative or doubling any adjective affix makes the meaning of the word more difficult to understand. ("Ostra" "Not Red") ("Traso" "Not Happy") ("Ostraso" "Not Happy" and/or "Not Angry")
Use in Verbs - Saying Haragransa (Green-Walk-Pr.Prg) changes the meaning of the verb to mean you are calm walking instead of just walking. Gransahara (Walk-Pr.Prg-Green) means you are green walking. A number of slang terms and phrases come from these combinations. To say "De Gransalari" (You Walk-Pr.Prg-Black, "You are walking black", means you are moving like an old man. You can say "You run like a girl" by saying De Yenahara (You Run-Pr.Sim-Green).
Use in Pronouns - Saying Antri forms a word that literally mean "I annoyed". You can use that phrase by itself to say you are annoyed, or place in just about any sentence. Another example of a short phrse: "Antri Haragransa" (I-Red Green-Walk-Pr.Prg) literally: "I annoyed calm walking." and in English: "I am annoyed but calmly walking".
Vevari is an analytic language, and since many adjectives do not form affixes, you can also use helper words and independent adjectives to get the same meanings, and make sentences with structures similar to other analytic languages like English. "Ana Tritse, Mei Haratse Grana" ( I am Red-Adj, but GreenAdj Walk-Pr.Prg) literally "I am red, but green walking". This has the same meaning as before: "I am annoyed but calmly walking".
Use in Demonstratives - When used as a pronoun, you can say "Altatri" (ThisRed) which is a very short phrase to say "This is annoying".
Imperative verbs and other moods/aspects/voices - can already be emphasized by doubling up on affixes and helper words (Deki Natna, "You (be) Quiet!") vs. (Deki Aki Natna, "YOU (be) QUIET!") Adding a color to the sentence emphasizes the emotion you are feeling about the command. (De Trinaki Natna, "You (be) Red-Quiet!"). You are implying anger without specifically expressing yourself as angry. And of course, you can double up on the imperative to emphasize (Deki Trinaki Natna, "YOU (be) RED-QUIET!") This also works with other verb aspects and moods.
Tarasha Adjectives have an independent form, plus two dependent affix forms and four separate meanings. Take the Adjective Tra/Tri. It means 'Red', 'Happy', 'Annoyed', and 'Angry' depending on which form is used and if it is used as a prefix or suffix, and they can be affixed to Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adverbs, and other Adjectives. The independent form simply adds an adjective specific affix such as -Tse. (Tratse/Tritse)
Adjective affixes
Nouns and verbs become adjectives when one of these affixes are attached to it (Anda - Mother. Ivanda - Motherly).Independent Adjectives
-Tse : Independent adjective. Used for Tarasha Adjectives ("Tratse" "Happy")
-Esh : Independent adjective. Used for Tarasha Adjectives ("Eshtra" "Red")
Negatives
Osh/Os/Oz- : negative ("Ostratse" "not Happy")("Osentsi" "not civil")
-Sho/-So/-Zo : negative ("Eshtraso" "not red")("Eshdrazo" "not blue")("Entsiso" "not civil")
These two can be combined. ("Ostratseso" (not not) Red"). Double negatives in Vevari tend to literally double the negative rather than cancel it out. The same is true for doubling positives, qualities, natures, and more.
Other affixes
If/Iv- : Nature ("Ivanda" "Motherly")("Ifaya" "Childish" or "Girly")("Ifeyen" "Childish" or "Boyish"
Or- : Positive or True ("Ortratse" "truly Red")(Oretsi " Truly wet")
-Ri : Little quality of, sort of ("Tratseri" "sort of red")("Ifayari" "Sort of childish")
-Di/Ti : Relating to ("Kollendi" "Planetary")
(There's more affixes to be added in the future)
While technically improper, younger speakers tend to say one affix as its own word instead of doubling up affixes. for example, they say 'so' in additon to a negative adjective to create an adjective phrase ("So Traso" "no (not) Red").
Younger speakers also tend to say Tarasha Adjectives without the independent identifier but using a double negative or doubling any adjective affix makes the meaning of the word more difficult to understand. ("Ostra" "Not Red") ("Traso" "Not Happy") ("Ostraso" "Not Happy" and/or "Not Angry")
Use of Tarasha Adjectives
Use in Nouns - Saying Egantra forms a compound word that means 'Red Water'. You can also call the water red by using the independent adjective for Red, Tratse Egan, or "Redly Water". Switching the order of the affix means something entirely different. Tranegan literally means 'happy water' and Trinegan means 'Angry Water'. Many words are derived from these compound words from earlier in the language's history. For example, Dreka, 'Beer', and 'Triga', "Liquor" were formed this way.Use in Verbs - Saying Haragransa (Green-Walk-Pr.Prg) changes the meaning of the verb to mean you are calm walking instead of just walking. Gransahara (Walk-Pr.Prg-Green) means you are green walking. A number of slang terms and phrases come from these combinations. To say "De Gransalari" (You Walk-Pr.Prg-Black, "You are walking black", means you are moving like an old man. You can say "You run like a girl" by saying De Yenahara (You Run-Pr.Sim-Green).
Use in Pronouns - Saying Antri forms a word that literally mean "I annoyed". You can use that phrase by itself to say you are annoyed, or place in just about any sentence. Another example of a short phrse: "Antri Haragransa" (I-Red Green-Walk-Pr.Prg) literally: "I annoyed calm walking." and in English: "I am annoyed but calmly walking".
Vevari is an analytic language, and since many adjectives do not form affixes, you can also use helper words and independent adjectives to get the same meanings, and make sentences with structures similar to other analytic languages like English. "Ana Tritse, Mei Haratse Grana" ( I am Red-Adj, but GreenAdj Walk-Pr.Prg) literally "I am red, but green walking". This has the same meaning as before: "I am annoyed but calmly walking".
Use in Demonstratives - When used as a pronoun, you can say "Altatri" (ThisRed) which is a very short phrase to say "This is annoying".
Imperative verbs and other moods/aspects/voices - can already be emphasized by doubling up on affixes and helper words (Deki Natna, "You (be) Quiet!") vs. (Deki Aki Natna, "YOU (be) QUIET!") Adding a color to the sentence emphasizes the emotion you are feeling about the command. (De Trinaki Natna, "You (be) Red-Quiet!"). You are implying anger without specifically expressing yourself as angry. And of course, you can double up on the imperative to emphasize (Deki Trinaki Natna, "YOU (be) RED-QUIET!") This also works with other verb aspects and moods.
Author's Note
This Language is a massive work in progress. I have IPA and spelling done. I also have a number of words made and will make more as I need them. Grammar might take some time to figure out though. Alphabet is also a work in progress. Also, I am no expert at linguistics in any way, so this article definitely has errors...
Comments
Author's Notes
If this language seems very similar to English in some ways, that's because it probably is. That's the effect of a non-linguist that primarily speaks English.