Ahknan

Ahknan is a language that relies heavily on context rather than tone. Pronouns are often conjugated alongside or instead of verbs, as shown by this chart:

Geographical Distribution

Across the nations of Ahkna

Phonology

There are no forced fricative sounds like there are in English, like th. Instead, when written in English letters, "th" typically symbolizes a softer "t" sound. In fact, the language lacks many fricative sounds at all, favoring voiceless affricates like "ch" and "j."

Morphology

Syllable structure: (C)(I)(V)

Stress pattern: Initial — stress is on the first syllable, unless the 'h' indicator is present, then the stress comes on whatever is after that letter

Word Consonants: b, d, f, j, g, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w, z, ɟ, ɫ, ɾ, ʃ, ʒ, ɕ, ʑ, aɪə

Word Affricates: t͡ʃ, t͡ɕ, ʈ͡ʂ, d͡z, d͡ʒ, d͡ʑ, ɖ͡ʐ, tʃ

Word Vowels: e, ʌ, ʊ, ɒ, ə, i:, ɔ:, ɑ:, u:, eɪ, aɪ, ɜː, ɛ, ɔ, œ, y, əʊ

Syntax

Ahknan typically follows an SVO, OVS, or SOV. It depends greatly on what or who is being addressed, and relies mostly on context and tone. Specific gestures are often used in accompany to spoken words, and so there is typically little confusion between native speakers.

In Ahknan, the person being addressed is almost always placed at the front of the sentence, no matter who or what the subject is. For example, in English, we might say, "I dislike that," but in Ahknan, it's be Ky'na sek, which directly translates to "I that hate." Pronouns are often pushed together in conjunctions, but almost never are pronouns pushed with verbs, unless its the object of the phrase pushed with the action being done to it, but that typically only occurs in more complex sentences, where the context would be confusing if not done otherwise. Or, it can be used in slang by people to cut down sentences to their bare essentials (Ex: Changing "Are you okay?" to "Okay?")

Ahknan relies heavily on context, rather than tone. The glotteral tone used mostly for questions is not so pronounced, leaving the interpretation to the situation. Often times, questions are simply abbreviated to their shortest possible forms. For example, the question, "What's wrong with you?":

What's wrong with you? - So'ter dakt'se jusher? (Direct: You with what is wrong?)

You're wrong? - So'raen('ter) jusher? (Direct: You are with wrong?)

You wrong? - Dakt so'jusher? (Direct: What you wrong?)

Alternatively, the question can be simply conveyed by saying "jusher" or "so jusher" with the right tone at someone.

Vocabulary

The different types of words can typically be classified by how they end. Nouns typically end with "-a" or "-na," adjectives with "-er," or "-an," and root verbs with "-yea," "-an," or "at," although the roots of verbs aren't typically used, as tenses change with context and tone.

Common Phrases

• Akro::Hail

• Ahknava::Greetings

• Ikvea::Farewell

• Sana son aban ishael::May your strength stay

• So'ses sesba::You did well

• Na'fakohkna::Desert-dweller (insult)

• So'do poraste Ahknagh?::Do you speak Ahknan?

• Ibah::Elder

• Siba!/Shivat!::Have at thee!/Have at thee! (derogatory)

Common Female Names

• Azaya - Mojocki, "Sand flower"

• Telhath - Tahnsakhi "Healer"

• Meyarakh - Cascan "Lover"

• Bash - Old Mojocki "Courageous one"

• Hetham - Old Mojocki "Heth lives"

Common Male Names

• Ataloh - Old Mojocki "Leader"

• Jirka - Mojocki "Warrior"

• Bhat - Mojocki-Hatchani "Potter"

• Kelkhatra - Kenatani "Noble hunter"

• Sobakon - Cascan "Son of strength"

Common Unisex Names

• Syhana - Cascan "Syhana flower"

• Jirka - Mojocki "Warrior"

• Tahla - Mojocki "Scholar"

• Atcha - Hatchani "Brave"

• Esiran - Sanorhi "Smart hunter"