Old Imvien Language Grammar Overview
To ensure coherence and historical continuity between As'hikan Vulgar and Old Imvien, this overview outlines Old Imvien's grammar, maintaining key similarities.
Phonology
Consonants (30 symbols)
- Plosives: /p/, /b/, /t/, /d/, /k/, /g/
- Fricatives: /f/, /v/, /θ/, /s/, /z/, /ʃ/, /h/
- Nasals: /m/, /n/, /ŋ/
- Liquids: /l/, /r/
- Glides: /w/, /j/
Vowels (8 symbols)
- Short Vowels: /a/, /e/, /i/, /o/, /u/
- Diphthongs: /ai/, /au/, /ei/, /oi/
Morphology
Nouns
Cases:
- Nominative: Subject
- Accusative: Direct object
- Genitive: Possession
- Dative: Indirect object
- Instrumental: Means by which action is performed
Number: Singular, plural
- Singular: No suffix
- Plural: -i, -a
Gender: Masculine, feminine, neuter
Prefixes and Suffixes
Prefixes:
- An-: Negation
- Ra-: Repetition
- Fa-: Intensification
Suffixes:
- -th: Diminutive
- -ir: Agent
- -um: Abstract noun
Verbs
Tenses:
- Present: Base form
- Past: Suffix -en
- Future: Suffix -ar
Moods:
- Indicative: No marker
- Subjunctive: Particle *-ya* before the verb
- Optative: Particle *-na* before the verb
Voices:
- Active: No marker
- Passive: Suffix -ta
Aspects:
- Perfective: Suffix -li
- Imperfective: Suffix -ra
Syntax
Basic Word Order: Subject-Verb-Object (SVO)
Complex Sentences: Use of conjunctions such as *al* (and), *na* (but)
Example Constructions
Subjunctive Mood:
- Particle: *ya* (indicates possibility or necessity)
- Sentence structure: *ya [Verb] [Subject] [Object]*
Optative Mood:
- Particle: *na* (expresses wishes or hopes)
- Sentence structure: *na [Verb] [Subject] [Object]*
Advanced Features
- Negation: Prefixed with *An-*
- Questions: Verb fronting, use of interrogative particles
- Emphasis: Use of particle *et* at the end of the sentence
Historical Notes
Old Imvien serves as the foundation for As'hikan Vulgar. The linguistic evolution reflects a simplification of inflectional morphology and a shift in phonetics, while maintaining core structural similarities. This continuity reinforces the cultural and historical lineage within the Chronicles of Arshmunnu.
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