As'hikan Vulgar (High Imperial)

Overview of As'hikan Vulgar

As'hikan Vulgar is the older, more stylistic version of the New As'hikan language. It serves as the classical language of the 3rd Era in Arshmunnu, known for its complexity, elegance, and a rich array of characters and punctuation.

Linguistic Characteristics

1. Phonology and Phonetics:

Consonants: As'hikan Vulgar features an elaborate consonant system, including plosives, fricatives, nasals, and additional complex sounds not found in New As'hikan.

Vowels: The vowel system is extensive, with both short and long vowels, diphthongs, and triphthongs, influencing meaning based on length and combination.

2. Grammar:

Noun Declensions: Nouns are declined according to case, number, and gender, with specific endings for nominative, accusative, genitive, dative, and vocative cases.

Verb Conjugations: Verbs are conjugated based on tense, mood, voice, aspect, and include subjunctive and optative moods.

Adjectives and Adverbs: Adjectives agree with nouns in case, number, and gender, while adverbs are derived through complex morphological processes.

3. Syntax:

The typical sentence structure follows a Verb-Subject-Object (VSO) order, with flexibility for poetic and rhetorical emphasis.

Complex sentences often feature multiple subordinate clauses introduced by various conjunctions.

Writing System

As'hikan Vulgar is written in a highly stylized script with numerous characters and ligatures, derived from the Old Imvien glyphs. The script includes:

Basic Characters: 40 consonantal symbols and 12 vowel symbols.

Diacritics: Extensive use of diacritical marks to modify pronunciation, indicate stress, and provide tonal information.

Ligatures: Numerous ligatures for common consonant-vowel and consonant-consonant combinations.

Unique Characters: Additional characters representing sounds specific to As'hikan Vulgar.

Punctuation

Punctuation in As'hikan Vulgar is elaborate and plays a crucial role in meaning and stylistic expression. Key punctuation marks include:
1. ᛫ (mid-dot): Separates words or clauses for clarity, often used within compound words to denote a slight pause.
2. · (high dot): Indicates a pause longer than a comma but shorter than a period, frequently used within words to change meaning.
3. ·᛫ (high dot followed by mid-dot): Marks the end of a sentence, used stylistically for emphasis.
4. ¡!: Denotes strong emphasis or exclamation.
5. ¿?: Indicates a question.
6. ⸬ (double comma): Used for lists or series.
7. **: Marks direct speech or quotations.
8. ⸮: Rhetorical question mark, used to provoke thought.
9. ⁇: Double question mark, indicating extreme confusion or disbelief.
10. ⁘ (dotted cross): Used for special emphasis or to denote sacred or important terms.
11. ⸴ (low comma): Indicates a minor pause within words or between parts of compound words.
12. ⁑ (asterism): Marks noteworthy passages, often in religious or formal texts.
13. ※ (reference mark): Used for annotations or references within the text.
14. « »: Used for highlighting or emphasis, especially in formal writing.

Example Text in As'hikan Vulgar

Translation of a Simple Sentence:

English: "The king's wisdom shines brightly in the dark."

As'hikan Vulgar: "Yae althá·kumen vulón sirón ni thúlē·᛫"

Explanation:

Yae (shines) – Verb.

Althá·kumen (wisdom) – Subject with high dot changing the nuance.

Vulón (the king's) – Noun in the genitive case.

Sirón (brightly) – Adverb.

Ni (in) – Preposition.

Thúlē (dark) – Noun in the accusative case with an accented final vowel.

·᛫ (sentence-ending punctuation).

Complex Sentence:

English: "In the ancient temple, the priestess sang a hymn of praise, her voice echoing through the sacred halls."

As'hikan Vulgar: "Sirís kuros yae hymnés aláphos ni thé·lis thános, vulónas tae égardhós ni sák·raus halls·᛫"

Explanation:

Sirís (sang) – Verb.

Kuros (priestess) – Subject.

Yae hymnés (a hymn) – Direct object with accented plural.

Aláphos (of praise) – Genitive case with an accent for emphasis.

Ni thé·lis thános (in the ancient temple) – Prepositional phrase with a high dot within "thelis".

Vulónas (her voice) – Nominative case with an accented final vowel.

Tae (echoing) – Participle.

Égardhós (through) – Preposition with an accented final vowel.

Ni sák·raus halls (sacred halls) – Accusative case with a mid-dot for clarity within "sakraus".

·᛫ (sentence-ending punctuation).

Conclusion

As'hikan Vulgar, with its roots in Old Imvien, is a linguistically rich and stylistically elaborate language within the world of Arshmunnu. Its complex grammar, unique phonetic characteristics, extensive writing system, and intricate punctuation make it a distinctive and compelling feature of the setting.

### Etymology of "malluk" (ᛗᚨᛚᛚᚢᚲ)
The word **malluk** in As'hikan Vulgar, meaning "king," has a rich etymological history drawing from both Old Imvien and Armorican Vulgar.
#### From Old Imvien: 1. **Proto-Root: mal-**     - In Old Imvien, **mal-** conveyed notions of power and authority. This root likely evolved from Proto-Imvien, where **mal** meant "to rule" or "to govern."
2. **Suffix: -luk**    - The suffix **-luk** in Old Imvien was used to denote a person associated with a particular role or occupation, becoming synonymous with "ruler" or "leader."
#### From Armorican Vulgar: 1. **Prefix: ma-**     - In Armorican Vulgar, **ma-** was an honorific prefix used for nobility and significant figures. It emphasized respect and stature.
2. **Suffix: -lk**    - The suffix **-lk** in Armorican Vulgar indicated a powerful position or status.
### Development Over Time 1. **Old Imvien**    - The term for a king in Old Imvien would have been **mal-luk**, combining the root for power with a suffix denoting a person in that role.
2. **Armorican Influence**    - The honorific **ma-** prefix and **-lk** suffix from Armorican Vulgar influenced the pronunciation and spelling, leading to a more revered term.
3. **Transition to As'hikan Vulgar**    - As Old Imvien and Armorican Vulgar influenced each other, the term **mal-luk** gradually evolved into **malluk** in As'hikan Vulgar, blending elements from both languages.
### Summary

**malluk** (ᛗᚨᛚᛚᚢᚲ) is derived from a combination of the Proto-Imvien root **mal-** (power/authority) and the Old Imvien suffix **-luk** (ruler), influenced by the Armorican Vulgar prefix **ma-** (honorific) and suffix **-lk** (status), evolving into its current form in As'hikan Vulgar.

This etymological blend highlights the linguistic and cultural interplay between the ancestral languages and their influence on As'hikan Vulgar.

Dictionary

1 Words.

Detailed Grammar for As'hikan Vulgar

Phonology

Consonants

   
• Plosives: /p/ (ᛈ), /b/ (ᛒ), /t/ (ᛏ), /d/ (ᛞ), /k/ (ᚲ), /g/ (ᚷ), /ph/ (ᛥ), /qu/ (ᛢ), /kh/ (ᛣ), /gh/ (ᛤ)
   
• Fricatives: /f/ (ᚠ), /v/ (ᚢ), /th/ (ᚦ), /s/ (ᛋ), /sh/ (ᛧ), /zh/ (ᛦ), /h/ (ᚺ)
   
• Nasals: /m/ (ᛗ), /n/ (ᚾ), /ŋ/ (ᛜ)
   
• Liquids: /r/ (ᚱ), /l/ (ᛚ)
   
• Affricates: /ch/ (ᛨ), /ts/ (ᛩ)
   
• Glides: /w/ (ᚹ), /j/ (ᛃ)
   
• Others: /x/ (ᛉ), /z/ (ᛪ)

Vowels

   
• Short Vowels: /a/ (ᚨ), /e/ (ᛖ), /i/ (ᛁ), /o/ (ᛟ), /u/ (ᚢ)
   
• Diphthongs and Triphthongs: /eo/ (ᛇ), /ea/ (ᛠ), /io/ (ᛡ), /ia/ (ᛣ), /ai/ (ᛤ), /au/ (ᛥ), /oi/ (ᛦ)

Morphology

Nouns

Cases:

   
• Nominative: No suffix
   
• Accusative: -i
   
• Genitive: -'s
   
• Dative: -o
   
• Vocative: -e

Number:

   
• Singular: No suffix
   
• Plural: -i

Gender:

   
• Masculine, Feminine, Neuter (affects adjectives and articles)

Prefixes and Suffixes

Prefixes:

   
• In-: Negation
   
• Re-: Again
   
• Pre-: Before

Suffixes:

   
• -an: Diminutive
   
• -ir: Agent
   
• -um: Abstract noun

Verbs

Tenses:

   
• Present: Base form
   
• Past: -é
   
• Future: -ó

Moods:

   
• Indicative: No marker
   
• Subjunctive: Particle *-ea* added before the verb
   
• Optative: Particle *-au* added before the verb

Voices:

   
• Active: No marker
   
• Passive: Suffix -á

Aspects:

   
• Perfective: Suffix -í
   
• Imperfective: Suffix -io

Syntax

Basic Word Order: Verb-Subject-Object (VSO)
Complex Sentences: Use of conjunctions *ni* (that), *ke* (because)

Example Constructions

Subjunctive Mood:

   
• Particle: *ea* (indicates possibility or necessity)
   
• Sentence structure: *ea [Verb] [Subject] [Object]*

Optative Mood:

   
• Particle: *au* (expresses wishes or hopes)
   
• Sentence structure: *au [Verb] [Subject] [Object]*

Advanced Features

   
• Negation: Prefixed with *In-*
   
• Questions: Verb fronting, use of interrogative particles
   
• Emphasis: Use of emphasis marker *ᛯ*

This framework can be expanded with cultural and contextual specifics, further enriching the language's depth and functionality.

As'hikan Vulgar Script

As'hikan Vulgar is an ancient and highly stylized language with a rich set of symbols for both consonants and vowels. Here are the 40 consonantal symbols and 12 vowel symbols used in As'hikan Vulgar:

Consonantal Symbols (40)

1. ᚠ (f)
2. ᚢ (v)
3. ᚦ (th)
4. ᚨ (a)
5. ᚱ (r)
6. ᚲ (k)
7. ᚷ (g)
8. ᚹ (w)
9. ᚺ (h)
10. ᚾ (n)
11. ᛁ (i)
12. ᛃ (j)
13. ᛇ (eo)
14. ᛈ (p)
15. ᛉ (x)
16. ᛋ (s)
17. ᛏ (t)
18. ᛒ (b)
19. ᛖ (e)
20. ᛗ (m)
21. ᛚ (l)
22. ᛜ (ng)
23. ᛞ (d)
24. ᛟ (o)
25. ᛠ (ea)
26. ᛡ (io)
27. ᛢ (qu)
28. ᛣ (kh)
29. ᛤ (gh)
30. ᛥ (ph) 
31. ᛦ (zh)
32. ᛧ (sh)
33. ᛨ (ch)
34. ᛩ (ts)
35. ᛪ (z)
36. ᛫ (mid-dot)
37. ᛬ (ligature indicator)
38. ᛭ (diacritic indicator)
39. ᛮ (syllable separator)
40. ᛯ (emphasis marker)

Vowel Symbols (12)

1. ᚨ (a)
2. ᛖ (e)
3. ᛁ (i)
4. ᛟ (o)
5. ᚢ (u)
6. ᛇ (eo)
7. ᛠ (ea)
8. ᛡ (io)
9. ᛣ (ia)
10. ᛤ (ai)
11. ᛥ (au)
12. ᛦ (oi)

Explanation

Consonantal Symbols: The consonantal set includes familiar sounds as well as more complex and ancient sounds that may not have direct equivalents in modern languages.

Vowel Symbols: The vowel set includes both single vowels and diphthongs, reflecting the intricate phonetic structure of As'hikan Vulgar.

Diacritics and Ligatures: Used extensively to modify the pronunciation, stress, and meaning of words.

Example Text with Symbols

English: "The king's wisdom shines brightly in the dark." As'hikan Vulgar: "ᛃᛠ᛫ ᚨᛚᚦᚨᚲᚢᛗᛖᚾ ᚢᛚᛟᚾ ᛋᛁᚱᛟᚾ ᚾᛁ ᚦᚢᛚᛖ᛭"

Conclusion

As'hikan Vulgar's script is a complex and beautifully crafted writing system that reflects the language's rich history and stylistic elegance. The combination of consonantal and vowel symbols, along with various diacritics and ligatures, allows for a nuanced and expressive written language.